MILTON — Milton Councilman Lloyd Hinote, 78, died Sunday after being hospitalized several weeks due to illness.
The long-time resident served on the city council for more than 15 years, representing Ward IV.
Milton Mayor Wesley Meiss shared his condolences on his ‘Mayor Wesley Meiss of Milton, Florida’ Facebook page, stating, “Prayers for Councilman Lloyd Hinote and his family. I learned so much from him. He will be missed.”
Former Mayor Guy Thompson said he remembers Hinote as “a perfect councilman.”
“If an individual called him and had a problem, (Hinote) would be right on it,” Thompson said. “He was very serious about his role in the city.”
Councilwoman Patsy Lunsford said Hinote had a big heart and “would do anything that was asked of him.”
“(Hinote) was an outstanding council person,” she said. “He wanted what was best for the entire city and surrounding areas.”
Thompson said he remembers Hinote making a daily appearance at city hall, while maintaining a good relationship with each of the city’s employees.
“He always wanted to stay up on the issues that would come before (the city),” Thompson said.
Upon reflecting, Thompson credited Hinote for his attention to detail of each decision the council faced.
“I liked that, because I am not a detail person,” Thompson said. “He would bring up points that were very important that needed to be decided.”
Lunsford credited Hinote’s careful consideration when it came to the taxpayers’ money, especially with his background in finance and business.
Thompson maintained a close friendship with Hinote even after exiting his post as mayor in 2014. He admired Hinote’s dedication to the city.
“He loved the city very much,” Thompson said. “Lloyd was instrumental in mainly being a team player with the rest of the council. There were times we all agreed and times we all didn’t agree, but once we made a decision we backed each other.”
Thompson said Hinote played a big part as chairperson over the city’s parks and recreation committee by adding tennis courts on Sanders Street and adding ball fields to the city’s community center.
Former Councilman Buddy Jordan, who knew Hinote for more than 60 years, credited Hinote for his work on the parks and recreation committee.
“He had a lot of great ideas in which we used,” Jordan said. “He used a common sense approach, knowing what would work and what would not work.”
Hinote also made an impact as part of a council that voted to build a new city hall, a new fire station, along with a new wastewater treatment facility and recreation facilities, Thompson said.
“Bottom line, he was very good at what he did and I appreciate him for that,” Jordan said.
In addition to involvement as the vice chief with the Santa Rosa County Creek Indian Tribe Inc., former and current elected officials remember Hinote for his dedication to his family. A daughter and grandson survive Hinote.
“He was the kind of guy you would want to have as a brother, father or grandfather,” Lunsford said.
City leaders will discuss Hinote’s seat during the December council meetings.
Trahan Family Funeral Home in Milton is handling funeral arrangements.
Visitation is 5-8 p.m. Nov. 16; the funeral is 1 p.m. Nov. 17 at the funeral home, 6539 Trammel Drive. Hinote will be laid to rest at Crain Cemetery.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Milton Councilman Lloyd Hinote dies at age 78