Winton M. Hinkle

Hinkle, Winton M. Prominent Wichita attorney Winton M. Hinkle, 76, passed away peacefully on the morning of January 12, 2019, from Parkinson's disease and Lewy-body dementia. Winton was born on March 2, 1942, the only child of Ralph and Mildred Hinkle of Garden City, Kansas. Winton was a member of the Garden City High School's championship debate team. While in high school, he met his future wife Pauletta when he pumped gas for her at a local filling station. He and Pauletta then attended Emporia State University, where he continued his debate success, including a trip to a national tournament at West Point. The pair graduated with teaching degrees and moved to the Kansas City area before Winton chose to attend Washburn Law School in Topeka, Kansas. There they survived the 1966 Topeka tornado. Winton graduated top of his class in 1968 and served as editor-in-chief of the Washburn Law Journal. Upon graduation, he accepted a position with a prominent law firm in Wichita, and thus began what became a highly distinguished and respected 46-year legal career. He co-founded Wichita's second-largest law firm, Hinkle Law LLC, and became what many considered to be the expert in municipal finance, bond law, and tax and securities codes. For 16 years, Winton served as Bond Counsel for the City of Wichita. Winton directly contributed to the growth and development of many important Wichita-area businesses, including Beech Aircraft, Cessna Aircraft Co., the Coleman Co., the Via Christi hospital system, Wesley Medical Center, and many, many others. He also maintained involvement with his law school through the Law Alumni Association Board of Governors, including serving a 3-year term as its President. In 2015, he was recognized with the Washburn School of Law's Lifetime Achievement Award. When he wasn't at work, Winton was an avid hobbyist. His enthusiasms included antique cars, model trains and airplanes, and woodworking. He was also a devoted family man, enjoying camping trips, cooking steaks, skiing, boating, family game nights, and bouncing around on jeep trails in Colorado. Winton retired in 2014 and moved to Anthony, Kansas, where he became a beloved resident of the Anthony lakeside community and an active member of the Anthony Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pauletta, their children, Brian, Neal, Greg, and Karen, several grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. The family intends to celebrate his memory at a small ceremony in Garden City, Kansas, in early spring. Information will be available through Wulf-Ast Mortuary at a later date. Because Washburn Law School always held a cherished place in Winton's life and career, the family has established the Winton M. Hinkle Scholarship Fund to benefit future Washburn Law students. Gifts may be sent to: Washburn Law School Foundation (memo: Winton Hinkle), 1700 College, Topeka, Kansas, 66621.