Lew Baxter Hines

On the morning of April 8th, 2022, Lew Baxter Hines, age 90 peacefully passed away at home, with his daughter by his side. 

Lew was born to Sewell and Louise Blackford Hines on May 2nd, 1931, in Billings and graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1949. Lew started college at Whitman University in Walla Walla, Washington. He joined the Air Force in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1955. During his service time, he was in tragic automobile accident, which put him in the hospital for close to a year. He married Grace L. Hanson in 1956. Daughter Cheryl was born while he studied and finished college at University of Montana, graduating in 1958, earning a BS in Business Administration.

After leaving Missoula, Lew, Grace and Cheryl moved to Billings, where his son Craig was born. Lew and Grace L. Hines were divorced in 1964. Lew married Grace E. Thompson 1966 and had son Chris Hines while continuing to reside in Billings. He followed his father Sewell into Hines Motor Supply, the family business, along with his brothers Tom and Gary. Lew his father and two brothers expanded the Hines Motor Supply auto parts business until the sale in 1997. Dad was also a member of different organizations, which include American Lutheran and often greeted and ushered church members, member of Board of Directors at Billings Clinic, Past President of Optimist Club of Billings and served on advisory board of AC Spark Plug Division of General Motors.

Lew was a very successful businessman and a passionate father. Lew took his kiddos on weekend outings — flying kites, sledding, downhill skiing, golfing, rock hounding, panning for gold, BBQing, badminton, croquet, and numerous other adventures! Weeklong trips in the summers including Yellowstone National Park, Flintstone Park, Mount Rushmore and stopped at ALL the historical points! Wax museum, gravity houses, evening plays in west Yellowstone, stayed in cabins, water skiing Hebden Lake with the other Hines family. Super 8mm movies revealed lots of weekend activities around water skiing at Flathead Lake, and of course, back in the day, Lake Elmo was a hot spot for activities. All this looked to include BBQs and happy hours with friends and family! Lew also had an annual fishing trip with his father and brothers; later, the three brothers carried on the tradition. The rest of the family have no idea of exactly what those weeks looked like but rumors of eggs diablo and a shot or two shots of blackberry brandy!

In later years, Dad enjoyed annual trips to Minnesota with his son Chris and family. He loved smoking cigars and working crossword puzzles.

Lew was preceded in death by his parents; wife Grace E. (Thompson) Hines. He is survived by his three kiddos, Cheryl, Craig and Chris; brothers Gary and Tom; grandson Cale and step-grandson Carson; sister-in-law Roma Thompson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

We love you always! Our hearts are with you Dad. You are part of us forever!

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at American Lutheran Church, 5 Lewis Ave., with interment in Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park.

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