Middle East Christians in Peril: Perspectives from an Orthodox Christian and Former Government Agent

Bill Hinkle

Bill (Basil) Hinkle, Former Minority Whip of the Washington State House of Representatives was a firefighter paramedic for 17 years before entering the world of politics. Bill has been an elected official since 1996, serving first as Kittitas County Commissioner from 1996 to 2006, then serving five terms in the House of Representatives, where he served on the leadership team as the Minority Whip. He was the former ranking minority member of the House Healthcare Committee and has served on numerous commissions and tasks forces over the years with a particular emphasis on social welfare and healthcare policy issues, as well as water law and environmental issues. Bill is currently the Executive Director for the Rental Housing Association of Washington, a statewide association of landlords and their associates, headquartered in Seattle, WA, where he is still active in government affairs at the state and local level. Additionally he is serves on the Board of Trustees of Yakima Regional Medical Center and is the Founder and past Dean of the Jennifer Dunn Leadership Institute. Bill and his wife Debra are committed to Christ and serving His Holy Church. They have two children at home. They are founding members of The Prophet Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Mission, in Ellensburg, WA, where Bill serves as a Subdeacon with the blessing of his bishop. As a graduate of the Antiochian House of Studies, St. Stephen’s Theology Course, finishing a Master’s Degree in Applied Theology, he is the first President of the Antiochian House of Studies Alumni Association. Bill attended Tacoma Community College, South Puget Sound Community College, and the University of Washington’s Paramedic Training Program. Bill is also a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, and a member of Rotary International, the Order of St. Ignatius, Washington Cattlemen Association, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.