William Donald "Billy Don" Hiner

William Donald “Billy Don” Hiner, of Amarillo, Texas, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on October 25, 2026 surrounded by loved ones and cared for by the compassionate teams at GoodLife Assisted Living and BSA Hospice. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 AM Thursday October 29, 2026 at Hillside Christian Church – Northwest Campus located at 600 Tascosa Road with Pastor Chris Condit officiating. Private family burial to follow at Marella Cemetery.

Billy Don was born on October 24, 1950, in Guymon, Oklahoma, to Ernest and Lorene Hiner.

In 1975, Bill began what would become a remarkable 40-year career with Southwestern Public Service (SPS), now Xcel Energy. He started at Nichols Station, working in the control room and as a plant operator. After 10 years, he transitioned into a system operator position in 1985, where he continued serving until his retirement in 2015. During his career, he also played a role in implementing the SCADA system.

Bill took tremendous pride in his work and truly loved what he did. He was dependable, knowledgeable, and dedicated to excellence, both in himself and in those around him. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge and helping train the next generation of system operators. But perhaps one of the greatest gifts of those 40 years was the lifelong friendships he made along the way. Those friendships remained incredibly special to him, even until the very end.

Outside of work, Bill’s greatest joy was his family, especially his grandchildren. Some of the sweetest memories include mornings filled with pancakes, afternoons of backyard fun, and bedtime stories featuring the mischievous adventures of Jack the Cat, Fred, Myrtle, and the kids. These imaginative tales first began when Bill made them up for his daughter, Amy, when she was a little girl. Years later, those same beloved characters brought laughter and joy to another generation.

Bill had a way of making life fun. He was quick to laugh, enjoyed making others smile, and never seemed to meet a stranger. He loved striking up conversations and making friends wherever he went. He had a heart for people, especially those he encountered who were facing struggles of their own. Though his faith was often quiet, there were many moments when he shared the love of Jesus through simple acts of kindness and genuine interest in others. Bill also had a curious mind and was a wealth of fascinating and sometimes wonderfully random knowledge, especially when it came to outer space. His sense of humor, stories, and ability to connect with people made for many special memories and lasting friendships.

What many may not have known was that Bill had an incredibly creative mind and the heart of an inventor. He was always dreaming up ideas and imagining how things could work. One of his most memorable creations was the “Whirr Bee” frisbee, an invention he developed alongside two friends. Although it never made its way onto toy store shelves, it was something creative, clever, and uniquely Bill.

Billy Don was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Lorene Hiner, and his former wife, Arla, with whom he maintained a close and meaningful friendship.

He is survived by his only daughter, Amy Yott, and her husband, Chris, of Amarillo; and his two beloved grandchildren, Abbigail and Jamin Yott.

Even in the final weeks of his life, as so many things became more difficult, Bill still wanted to know what his grandchildren were doing and what was happening in their lives. Whenever he heard about Abbi and Jamin, his face would light up. His love for them never faded.

Bill leaves behind a lifetime of laughter, treasured stories, meaningful friendships, and memories that will continue to be shared. He will be remembered for his creativity, curiosity, sense of humor, and the special moments he shared with those he loved.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to GoodLife Assisted Living and BSA Hospice for the compassionate care, comfort, love, and dignity they provided to “William” and his family during the battle with dementia.

Though Bill will be deeply missed, his family is comforted by the assurance that he is now resting in the arms of Jesus—whole, healed, and at peace.

In leui of flowers please send donations to the amazing care team in House A at Good Life Senior Living and Memory Care, 928 Westwood Drive Amarillo, Texas 79124 or at https://www.venmo.com/u/GoodLife-Senior-Living26