***All attendeeds to this service are kindly asked to wear masks due to close seating arrangements.***

Mr. Willie E. "Pops" Hines, 77, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully but unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 at 10:00 am. He was born on April 30, 1944 in Brighton, Tennessee to the late Emmitt and Vanilla "Nellie" (Jackson) Hines.

Pops will continue to live on in the hearts of his beloved family, which includes his sons Vincent (Mary) Hines and Timothy Hines, both of Elkhart and Kenneth "Kenny" Hines of Indianapolis; brothers Albert (Deborah) Hines of Elkhart and Jessie (Marie) Hines of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; sisters Nellie Thompson of Milwaukee and Murdis L. Hines, Mary H. Hines, Carnetis (Alonzo) Jackson and Susie (Andy) Williams, all of Elkhart; step-children Cynthia, Nikita and Mario Pratcher of Goshen and Earnest (Nancy) and William Walls and Angie Taylor, all of Elkhart; grandchildren Kambria, Cameron, Jordan, Girbaud, Nadja and Tyler Hines as well as Vincent and Kenny Hines, Jr., and 6 great grandchildren.  Pops is also survived his former spouse (and mother to his children) Bobbie Jean Hines and his current significant other Ruthie Pratcher, both of Elkhart, and by a host of loving extended family, neighbors and good friends like Alfonzo "Junebug" Cockerham, Brenda "Pahd-nuh" Pratcher and Sherman Wiley. Preceding Pops in passing are his brothers Emmitt, Jr., Chas. "Eddie" and Stanley Hines, and sisters Pearly B. Terry and Karline Murray.

Pastor Clarence Jones and the congregation of the Community Missionary Baptist Church, 228 Chapman Street, Elkhart, are honored to receive Pops' remains at the church on Saturday, October 2, 2021 for a celebration of his life beginning there at 12:00 noon, with viewing and visitation beginning at 11:00 am. Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart are assisting the family with arrangements, and burial will follow the services at Prairie Street Cemetery in Elkhart.

Pops worked nearly 30 years as an equipment operator down at the old Elkhart Foundry prior to its closing and was a member of Community Missionary Baptist Church. Pops had a generous streak and had always enjoyed being a giving person. Many times, folks would find themselves calling him because they knew he was true to his word; and sure enough Pops would always come through.

Pops also knew the value of lookin' good at all times, and great took pride in his "fashion sense" and ability to dress to the "nines". Taste and class were important elements in Pops' life, and he always secretly hoped that the younger generations would take note and emulate his love for a clean, sharp look. He was also considered quite the BBQ connoisseur, and as soon as that smoke hit the neighborhood, everybody suddenly found some sort of excuse to come by and visit. "Oh, and pick up a plate while I'm here…." they would say. His chicken gizzards accompanied by some great music on his player was his specialty, but really, it was more about friendship, love and neighborhood fellowship than it was about the food.

Well, ok, maybe it was a little bit about the food.

Anyway, Pops lived his life to the fullest and never looked back with any regrets. He did things HIS way, and found that being kind, helpful and joyous were the keys to unlocking life's successes. And loyal, too. He was a devout Colts and Bears fan despite the fact that most of his Packer friends would tell him he was straight up crazy. His family and friends meant the world to him and he cherished the times when he could be around them. Whether he was at a friend's house watching the ball game and having a little "nippy-nippy of the sippy-sippy" (if you know what we mean) or enjoying some relaxation time with his boys or managing a BBQ get-together, Pops always seemed to be in his element and always left you with a smile on your face.

We hope you rest easy, Pops. We'll keep the grill fires lit in your memory down here, but we're pretty sure you'll be busy in Heaven if anybody up there gets a taste of your chicken gizzards.

Memorial donations may be given to the charity of one's choice. Friends and relatives are encouraged to read the obit and leave condolences, memories or pictures of Willie "Pops" by clicking "Tribute Wall" on his obituary page on the funeral home's website and following the prompts.

***All attendees to this service are kindly asked to wear masks due to close seating arrangements***