Ethel Colene (Hinson) Bishop

Ethel Colene Bishop

1945-2018

Ethel Colene Bishop, 72, beloved mother, daughter, and sister, passed away in her sleep on Saturday, January 27, 2018. 

She was born in Levelland, Texas on December 3, 1945 and graduated from Levelland High School.  She traveled extensively before enlisting in the U.S. Army as a laboratory technician.  After a skiing accident in Matterhorn, Switzerland, Colene sustained a severe back injury and was honorably discharged from military service.  Her persevering spirit led her to San Antonio, Texas, where she earned her master’s degree in Interior Design from Incarnate Word University.  Colene pursued multiple successful careers as a freelance interior designer, a real estate agent, and a toy representative.  Retiring in Deming, New Mexico, Colene continued to travel and make friends wherever she went.  Her passion for knowledge led her to extensive self-study in history, religion, and culture, and her warmth and genuineness touched the lives of everyone she met. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest Theodore Hinson and Charlsie Steveson Hinson.  Left to mourn her passing are her son, Joshua Jay Hillyard and spouse Aidyn; brothers Loren Delbert Hinson (wife Judy) and Ernest Roscoe Hinson (wife Lesley); nieces Ashley Hinson, Theresa Elliott, and Stacy Hinson; nephew, Ernest Roscoe "Rocky" Hinson Jr.; service dog Adora; and many numerous relatives and friends. 

The family will be present to receive friends on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Baca Funeral Chapel, 811 S. Gold Ave., Deming, NM, 88030, with services beginning at 3:00 p.m., Loren Delbert Hinson officiating. Cremation has been entrusted to Baca’s Mimbres Crematory.  Private military inurnment will follow at San Antonio National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. 

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Freedom Service Dogs of America charity, http://freedomservicedogs.org

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