Douglas L. Hinds, 91, former Georgetown mayor
May 8, 2025
Douglas Lanford Hinds of Georgetown, an attorney and the city’s former mayor, died May 2 at Georgetown Memorial Hospital. He was 91.
He was born May 25, 1933, in Kingstree, the son of the Joseph James Hinds and Lillian Lyda Hinds. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Furman University and a law degree from the University of South Carolina.
Mr. Hinds practiced law and was a partner at Hinds, Cowan, Strange & Geer until his retirement.
He served as mayor of Georgetown from 1977 to 1985. He served on the board of the S.C. Municipal Association and the S.C. Water Resources Commission. He was also a member of the board of the Waccamaw Regional Planning and Development Council, where he served a term as chairman.
Mr. Hinds served in the state Senate from 1989 to 1992, and was a member of the Ethics Committee. He didn’t run for a second term.
He was married to the late Lynette Balliew Hinds.
He was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Georgetown, where he was a deacon and a member of the Dr. Lide Williams Sunday School Class. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, but his greatest love was for his family.
He is survived by his children, Scott Hinds (Frankie) of Johnston, Allyson Cruise of Georgetown and Tootie Willhelm (Rob) of Fairhope, Ala.; his grandchildren, Lanford Wrenn (Brandy), Blair Willhelm, Stephen Wrenn, Wofford Willhelm (Tabatha) and Savannah Hinds; and his great-grandchildren, Colin, Kayla, Cantley and Kennedy.
His brothers, Joe Hinds and Charles Hinds, died before him.
His family thanked Michael Carter for being a loyal friend and Dr. Benjamin Greenwood for his compassionate care.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at First Baptist Church by the Rev. Dr. Ted Sherrill and the Rev. Keith Wall.
There is a guest book at mayerfuneralhome.com.
