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SAMUEL WILLIAM "BILL" HINZMAN
SAMUEL WILLIAM "BILL" HINZMAN
Obituary
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SAMUEL HINZMAN Obituary
Age 75, a South Beaver Township resident since 1990, formerly of Coraopolis and Moon Township, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 5, 2012 in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Sewickley on October 24, 1936. Beloved husband for 39 years to Bonita "Bonnie" (Mastandrea) Hinzman of S. Beaver; devoted son of Dorothy (Kleitz) Hinzman of Neville Island and the late William Harry Hinzman; loving father of Heidi Hinzman of Los Angeles, CA and the late S. William Hinzman; cherished grandfather of Christa Hinzman of Pittsburgh; cherished brother of George Hinzman (Olive), David Hinzman (Beverly), all of Neville Island, and Edna Hinzman Bross (Allan) of Moon Township; eight nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews. He was a retired filmmaker, cinema-photographer and director. Icon of the industry, he was best known as Zombie #1 or "Graveyard Zombie" from the classic horror film George Romero's Night of the Living Dead. He also produced and directed children's films along with sports documentaries. He was a 1955 graduate of Coraopolis High School, a member of the Coraopolis Sportsman's Club and the U.S. Navy Reserves. Visitation Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at COPELAND'S MOON TOWNSHIP, 981 Brodhead Road, where a Service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. The family wished to thank Vitas Hospice for their tender loving care. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Bill's name to Vitas Hospice, 235 Alpha Drive, Suite 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Scott Chamberland
February 13, 2012
Rest in Peace
Jenni Kellogg
February 13, 2012
Bill was one of the first people that I met when I began attending horror conventions and immediately he was one of my favorite people of all time. He had a knack for remembering his fans and making each of us feel special. He is already greatly missed. I hope that Bonnie, Heidi and the rest of the family can be comforted by the number of friends Bill left in legacy to you. Thank you so much for sharing him with us.
Bruec Hamady
February 11, 2012
I was sad to hear about Bill's passing. One of my crew said he saw the notice on IMDB.
I don't know how Bill and I met and started to work together but we hit it off right away. Maybe it was the project when he shot inside a reactor core and we edited the footage at my shop. We did other projects- I'd do a bit of editing on his movies and he'd run audio for my shoots. I remember one job shooting at Chrysler plants around the Midwest- I'd always tell the plant guys about Bill's storied past and they'd flock around him, taking pictures for the plant newspaper. He was a star to all of us.
Bill once told me about his chance at directing Orson Wells for a voice over. Orson Welles was his idle, he said, and he was really excited about directing Orson Welles. But when the session started, Welles apparently read the first line and boomed out something like, ‘is that all right for you?' and Bill confessed he went weak kneed and barely got out a ‘it's fine, Mr. Welles'.
I haven't seen Bill since I left Pittsburgh in the 90s. But I will miss him even more, now that I don't have the chance to return and see him. My condolences to Bonnie.
john stabrawa
February 11, 2012
i met bill at a show in rosemont. i had recieved an extra piece of pizza and offered it to him. he said 'no thanks' and smiled.i then offered to buy him a beer and he put his hand on my shoulder and said 'sorry guy,i have to go to work' and smiled again. he was a very nice person and i will keep the 'notld' figure of him forever.
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Michael Bonacci
February 10, 2012
I had the privilege of meeting Bill at several conventions in the past few years. He always showed great appreciation for his fans and it was always a pleasure to see and talk to him.
My deepest sympathy to the Hinzman family; I will keep you all in my prayers.
Bill, God bless you and may you rest in peace. I will miss you.
Sandy Mulert Doyle
February 9, 2012
My condolences to your family.
My husband brought home the Chicago Sun-Times today. Knowing my love for all things George Romero (I am originally a Pittsburgher and saw NOLD at the Mt. Lebanon Drive In on October 13, 1968) he opened it up to a lovely obituary about your husband and father written by staff writers Maureen O'Donnell and Sophia Bairaktaris.
My husband recognized Bill because the same "headshot" (why does that photographic term sound different when thinking about zombies) used in the article is also on my office wall, autographed by Bill.
NOLD is in the National Film Archives at the Smithsonian. Your father's few minutes of screen time will be immortalized as long as that institution survives.
God Bless You All.
Brett Wainer
February 9, 2012
My condolenses to the Hinzman family. Bill will truly be missed by all who knew him
Michael Bell
February 9, 2012
Bill was a very nice man. My condolences to the Hinzman family.
February 8, 2012
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Bill was a lovely man who always brought a smile to our face. You are all in our prayers.
The Cardille Family
Dick & Mavis Ropp
February 8, 2012
We cherish Bill's friendship. Heidi, your Dad was so very proud of you, every time we saw him he would beam as he gave us an update.Bonnie we still remember your trip to Edinboro years ago. Words are tough at time like this so the following is for the whole family
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
February 8, 2012
Bonnie and Family,
I can only echo all of the kind words being said of Bill. I totally enjoyed working for Bill and always looked forward to running into you and him at the Gulfscope outings!
My heart is heavy at his passing. He will be missed.
You are in my prayers,
Dori Ayers Ryan
Kyra Schon
February 8, 2012
Bonnie and Heidi - I wish I had some magic words to console you at this time. I can only say how much Bill adored you both, and how much he was loved by all of us friends and fans. He has left a legacy that will never be forgotten. I will miss my buddy - my surrogate big brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you now and always.
Ed Demko
February 8, 2012
He was a true icon of horror films and pop culture and an incredibly nice man. I was happy to get the chance to meet you, and I was even happier after I did. Thanks for the memories Bill. -Ed Demko (Monroeville)
John, Courtney Mowod
February 8, 2012
Bonnie and Heidi,
Our deepest condolences for your loss.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Our kids still talk about the pig roasts, thank you for the memories. Bill had a very special place in John's heart and he will be incredibly missed.
Dave Minyard
February 7, 2012
A great man who will not only be missed by family and friends, but by a legion of fans and an entire genre. Please except my condolences and know that he was, and always will be, a inspiration to many.
April G
February 7, 2012
Got to meet Bill and other NOTLD cast members at a reunion at Texas Frightmare a few years ago. He was the sweetest and was impressed at a portrait drawing I did of him.
February 7, 2012
To a man who had no idea how many lives he would touch by being involved in a simple film...Thank You, Mr. Hinzman.
Kristina Lakey
February 7, 2012
Such a nice, genuine man. Our thoughts are with you at this time. Gone but not forgotten.
Matthew Blazi
February 7, 2012
I first met Bill 13 years ago as a young fan. Through the years seeing him I got to know him more and more. I was blessed to get to hear many of his stories and be there for some great times that always ended with a laugh. Bill you are missed and thank you for the memories.
Peggy (Gordon) Price-Hartz
February 7, 2012
A chapter of my youth as a young mother in Coraopolis, beginning actress at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, and Colonial theatre, and family friend of Bill and Bonnie will be closed with Bill's passing. He was a really decent fellow, and such a good friend and collaborator with my former husband, David Gordon. Our condolences to Bonnie and the family, Peggy (Gordon) Price-Hartz, Sacramento, CA
Andrew Jones
February 7, 2012
Please accept our sympathies and best wishes - Andy/Charly
Mark Statler
February 7, 2012
I met and talked to Bill almost every year at Monster Bash Film Conference. What a lovely, warm, precious, engaging, funny, intelligent, talented man! I'm so much "richer" because of him! Thanks for blessing my life Bill! God bless and comfort Bill's family! Much love, Mark (Ohio)
donnie dorman
February 7, 2012
A better man i will never meet, godspeed my friend.
Pat Mastandrea
February 7, 2012
BonnieJo and family, My brother, Carmen, advised us of Bill's passing. We are very sorry to hear this news and our deepest sympathies are with you and your family.
We are in Florida for the Winter months and want to at lease let you know that our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Pat and Freddy Mastandrea
Will Phelps
February 7, 2012
R.I.P. my dear friend! You will truly be missed my millions...
Gary Streiner
February 7, 2012
Bonnie and Heidi, I knew Bill for nearly 50 years and from the day I met him and assisted him on photo shoots he never changed. I truly can not remember him in a bad mood. He was nurturing and caring and an all around good man. His dedication to NOTLD fans was unrepresented. He will certainly will be missed, but he will be revered by horror fans forever.
Be strong and bask in the light of his goodness.
February 7, 2012
George: you have my deepest sympathy on the passing of your brother Bill. You and your family are in my prayers and thoughts. May he rest in peace.
Shirley Rally Williams
Johnny Love
February 7, 2012
My sincere condolences to the Hinzman family. As a very close friend to his son Billy, I got to spend many countless and enjoyable hours with Mr. Hinzman. I always considered him the coolest parent on the planet! R.I.P. Mr. Hinzman.
Tricia Martin
February 7, 2012
I never got to meet Bill, but have heard nothing but wonderful stories from people who were close to him. The world has lost the greatest Ghoul it ever had. I send positive thoughts, and wishes to the entire Hinzman family.
Jeff Carney
February 7, 2012
Thoughts and prayers are with the Hinzman family. He was very proud of his family and he will be missed by many. Thanks for touching so many lives and making a difference.
Matt Majeski
February 7, 2012
I personally met Bill almost a year and a half ago at Cinema Wasteland. He was a very nice guy, and super appreciative of the fans that always came by his table. He once said that he was "proud as hell" for being a part of Night of the Living Dead. I can surely say that I'm "proud as hell" to have met such a wonderful man.
Rest in peace, Bill! Your legacy will never be forgotten!
Jim Cirronella
February 7, 2012
My sincerest condolences to Bonnie and the entire Hinzman family. Bill enriched the lives of everyone he met with his kindness, sincerity and humor. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
February 7, 2012
Bonnie,
Many moons ago, Bill was kind enough to give me my first job in the film industry at Mini Productions. I have thought of him over the decades with fond memories, especially when Night of the Living Dead would surface in the news. I will remember him for his encouragement, endearing tolerance, and humor. My condolences to you and your family.
Lisa McClelland, Malibu, CA
Brian Ridgway
February 7, 2012
What a fine man of integrity, humor and warmth. My prayers and sympathy to ALL close to him. GOD BLESS YOU, SAMUEL WILLIAM HINZMAN!
John Butler
February 7, 2012
To The Hinzman's family often we get distracted by what's out side our door it has been shut and the key thrown away we can't do anything about it. And you can't do a thing about tomorrow cause its yet to come however we can remember the pass. And what we do and say today will make it a masterpiece just as Bill did we will miss but never forget him.
John Butler
Rick Catizone
February 7, 2012
Bonnie,
My condolences on your great loss. It was so nice seeing Bill, and sharing a dinner with both of you that night after the convention. Little did I know it would be our last. I will always remember the big hug I got from Bill at Famous Monsters after having not seen each other for about 15 years. May God grant His peace to the whole family in this sad time.
MARK J. PENTLAND
February 7, 2012
TO THE ENTIRE HINZMAN FAMILY,
I WAS SORRY TO HEAR OF BILL'S PASSING MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY. YOU ARE ALL IN MY THOUGHTS & IN MY PRAYERS.
Russ Streiner
February 7, 2012
To Bonnie and Heidi- Shakespeare expressed my feelings well----"Now cracks a noble heart... and may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest" Hamlet, William Shakespeare
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