Arthur Wayne Hoskins Jr.

Arthur Wayne 'Sam' Hoskins Jr., 71, of California, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at Harry S. Truman Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, Mo. He was born on July 17, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri to Arthur and Juanita (Williams) Hoskins Sr., both of whom preceded him in death. Sam graduated from Wright City High School in June of 1964, and a week after graduation; he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a draftsman/surveyor and departed for basic training. His military assignments led him all over the world including multiple tours in Vietnam and Japan. He also served assignments at Lackland AFB, Texas; Keesler AFB, Mississippi; Hickam AFB, Hawaii; Whiteman AFB, Mo.; Patrick AFB, Panama; and Maxwell AFB, Ala. where he retired in July of 1984 after 20 years and 25 days of faithful service in defense of his country. While assigned to Whiteman AFB in 1976, he met and married his wife, Sharon Rose Potter. They were married for 41 years, until her death in May 2017. After his military service, Sam worked for 24 years as a Construction Inspector with the Division of Design and Construction for the State of Missouri. Among his multitude of hobbies, he especially enjoyed woodworking in his shop, watching Cardinals baseball, and fishing and camping with his family. Sam, being a man of faith, was a member and Deacon at First Baptist Church California. Throughout his life, Sam dedicated his talents to spreading the word of God through international missions. He was also a Master Mason and a former Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. Arthur is survived by his three children, Joshua Wayne Hoskins (Tabatha) of California, Mo., MSgt James Roy Hoskins (Taylor) of McGuire AFB, N.J. and Elizabeth Marie Batye (Matt) of Hartsburg, Mo.; six grandsons; one brother, Daniel Hoskins (Becky) Troy, Mo.; three nieces and three nephews; and his beagle named Bogey. The family received friends at Windmill Ridge Funeral Service on Monday, August 14, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at Windmill Ridge Funeral Service with Rev. Greg Morrow officiating. Interment will be at the Masonic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Central Missouri Honor Flight and/or The Patriot Guard. Online messages to the family may be contributed at www.windmillridgefuneralservice.com