Cecil R. Hinson, Jr.

Cecil Rudolph Hinson Jr., affectionately known as Buddy, passed away December 29, 2025, at the age of 79. He is survived by his wife, Ana Hinson, with whom he built a life grounded in devotion, partnership, and adventure.He is also survived by his children, Susana Hinson Tull (Darrell Tull) and Allan Hinson (Elizabeth Hinson); his grandchildren, Hunter Smith (Leslie Smith), Austin Smith, Emylee Grubb (Jarrett Grubb), Nicholas Tull, Zachary Tull, Jackson York, James Hinson, Raleigh Hinson, and twin granddaughters Milly and Mattie Hinson; and his great-grandson, Solomon Smith.

Buddy met the love of his life, Ana, while serving in the Navy in the Philippines, and from that moment on, they were inseparable. Their marriage was the kind most people hope for, built on laughter. They rarely argued, said "I love you" every single day, and found joy in simply being together. Their home was always open, often filled with karaoke, plates of pancit, and what Buddy affectionately called "monkey meat," which everyone hoped-and strongly suspected-was just chicken. More than anything, they shared a lightness about life, never taking it too seriously, and that may have been the secret to a love that lasted more than 55 years. 

Buddy proudly served his country in the United States Navy, enlisting in 1965 and retiring in 1985 with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. During his military career, he earned numerous awards and decorations, including the Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four service stars, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. His service reflected the same qualities that defined him throughout his life-grit, loyalty, and a deep sense of responsibility to those around him.

He was a storyteller in the truest sense of the word-the kind of man who could turn an ordinary encounter into a full-blown adventure. Every visit came with a tale, some wildly funny, some slightly unbelievable, all delivered with perfect timing. He talked about medical mishaps or a spider tattoo that somehow lost a leg, and just when a story felt too big to be true, you learned better than to doubt him, because somewhere behind the sheetrock in a bedroom closet, there really was an alligator handcuffed to the pipes. In a small town, he was a legendary character, known for his sharp wit, fearless honesty, and unmatched sense of humor. He had a rare gift for saying exactly what everyone else was thinking, but in a way only he could get away with. Life around him was never dull, and the laughter he brought into every room will be remembered long after the stories have been told.

His passion for martial arts was just as defining as his storytelling. He found Brazilian jiu jitsu later in life, walking onto the mat in his late sixties alongside college students and quickly earning the respect of everyone in the room. He received his blue belt in his seventies. He trained hard, rolled harder, and proved every day that determination matters more than age. He attended class the very day he died, doing exactly what he loved. Before jiu jitsu, he and his wife Ana shared years of teaching and competing in taekwondo. Both earned black belts, though Ana proudly outranked him-a fact he never disputed.

He lived with intention, showed up fully, and left the world richer for having been in it. A celebration of life will be held at First Methodist Church on January 10 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service in the Old Fellowship Room.

Honorary pallbearers are U. S. Navy Seabees.