William "Bill" Hines Baldwin

Mr. William "Bill" Hines Baldwin, 90, of Big Spring, TX, formerly of Snyder, passed away on January 03, 2016 in Big Spring, Texas. Memorial Service for Mr. Baldwin will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 2 PM at Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home. Services are under the direction of Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home. Mr. Baldwin was born on Friday, June 19, 1925 in Medicine Mound, TX to James and Grace (Greening) Baldwin. He is survived by daughters: Paula Baldwin of Monmouth, Oregon and Sara Blair of Louisville, Mississippi and two sons: Tom Baldwin of Hermleigh, Texas, and Bill Baldwin, Jr., of Springtown, Texas, 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Just about everyone who knew Bill was aware what a wonderful storyteller he was. He recorded significant events of his own life and in the lives of others. He recreated those stories and passed them on to others. It was Bill’s way of creating himself. He often pointed out the truth should not get in the way of a good story.

Bill was born 90 years ago in a little community on the Red River area of north Texas.He was born and grew up there in extreme poverty. He often pointed out that his family really did not know how poor they were because every one else was poor just like them. A generation of people who suffered through the “Great Depression.” This generation has become known as the “Greatest Generation” and they truly were great because they managed to meet every challenge that came their way. They fought and won a war against tyranny. They set America on a path of unrivalled accomplishment that the world may never see again.

For Bill, one of the most significant events in his life was serving in the army during WWII. Even as his memories faded and became tangled during his later years, he often recalled those days. He was hoeing cotton one day and the next he was in the Army, which was a complete turnabout for a kid who did not graduate from high school. He landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy on D-Day. Bill was a combat engineer who disarmed mines. He recalled being called to the front line and while a platoon of soldiers watched and waited he put the safety clip in a landmine. He remarked that day was his best day. He said after that things just got worse but as a soldier you just got used to it. Bill was caught in the Battle of the Bulge and sometimes he described how really horrible conditions became. Bill was awarded several medals for his service, including a Purple Heart, but he was proudest of the Medaille de Jubile (Normandy Commemorative Medal) presented to him several years ago by France.

One thing he believed in was the power of community. He was active in the Kiwanis Club, joined the Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite and became a Shriner. He was extremely proud of serving in all these organizations because of the service they provide for the community. He also owned and operated Bill’s Auto Salvage which for a long time here was THE place to get car parts. Several car hounds have remarked that visiting Bill’s Auto Salvage was like a trip to Disneyland where you could wander for hours looking at old cars.

Bill had some health problems and left the wrecking yard in the early 1980s, but he stayed in the auto business selling cars and traveling around the country. He went back to France for the 50th anniversary of D-Day. Things had changed so much that he did not recognize much
of it, but some of those old memories came back.

One of Bill’s favorite stories was about the time he shook hands with General Eisenhower. Bill was on a menial chore of some kind at a base in England. A sergeant came through the area and told everyone to fallout in a line, that a VIP was coming through for an inspection. Bill was in a small group where General stopped and shook everyone’s hand. Bill said that he did not realize how serious the war was until he shook Eisenhower’s hand. He looked in the generals eyes and realized what they were doing was going to change the world. Bill’s message was that you never know what fate will bring you, but your efforts no matter how small, will be important so you need to do your best whether you are digging postholes or riding in a limo.