Nathan Hinton Jr., 90, resident of Smithfield, WV, formerly of Fairmont went home to be with the Lord on July 9, 2020. He was born December 8, 1929 in Moundsville WV. He gallantly fought with the United States Army infantry during the Korean War from 1951 through 1953. Sharing on occasion his toughest battles were hand-to-hand combat with the fierce Mongolians. He was awarded a Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Campaign Stars and the United Nations Service Medal Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). The CIB was awarded to soldiers who fought in active ground combat. Sergeant First Class Hinton was honorably discharged from active duty in 1953 and from the U.S. Army Reserves in October 1959.

After almost 40 years of dedicated service to the customers of Wilson Ford Lincoln Mercury, "Nate" retired in 1993. His exceptional knowledge, skill, and work ethic was admired by colleagues and customers alike. Although not formally trained as an automotive technician, his self-taught ability to recognize or diagnose vehicular problems, was matched by his ability to instantly provide numbers corresponding to almost any auto part. His family is confident that if given the opportunity, he would have been a brilliant engineer.

His contagious smile and willingness to assist others in need earned him the monikers of Fairmont's "Good Samaritan." Family road trips typically turned in to assisting stranded motorists along the road. His tinkering didn't stop at Wilson Ford. Pop, Paw Paw, Pop Paw (some of his other affectionate nomenclatures) spent many hours over the weekends providing that same service and level of care by sharing his knowledge with friends and family. He handed down his love of cars to his children who passed that on to their children. With two sons and five daughters, he made sure that his children (particularly his girls) would be able to understand the totality of operating and maintaining a vehicle. We think he was a "girl dad" way before his time.

Nathan was preceded in death by his mother, Polly Ann (1954); his stepmother, Amelia Hinton (1993); and his beloved father Deacon Nathan Hinton Sr. (1994); sisters Willa Pearl Adams (1976); Minnie Lee Hinton Brown (1956); Ruby Farrington (1994); and his thoughtful and loving son Sheldon Hinton (2002). Formerly married to now deceased Lillie B. Tartt-Hinton (2005), Nathan is survived by five daughters and a son: Damita Tartt, Natalie Hinton, Sharon Hooper, Regina Hinton, Valarie Stricklin, and Nathan Anthony Hinton III. They created eight grandchildren: Kristin, Felicia, and Olivia Hooper; Preston Tartt; Zachary Fuqua; and Kris II, Sheldon, and Chelsea Stricklin. He also leaves behind their children, his five great-grandchildren: Elijah, Alexandra, and Noemi Stricklin; Travis Townsend III; and Davi Gibson, along with several nephews, nieces, and cousins whom he loved dearly. He had a special place in his heart for his nephew and niece in WV that assisted him during his illness: Dr. Gregory Hinton and Bonnie King in addition to his sixth daughter/niece Lucy Brown.

He transitioned to eternal life at home in Smithfield with his life-term partner, Peggy Starkey, who remained by his side until the end. Nathan had a wealth of friends and extended family with the Starkey's that included Peggy's children Sherri Myers, Kerri Shaver, Bradley Starkey, and Kendra Longwell. Jointly, they cherished 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Ave, Fairmont WV, on Thursday, July 16, 2020 from 11 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. The funeral service, for family members only due to the pandemic, will follow at 12 p.m. with Minister Pete Cohen, Church of Christ at Pricetown, officiating. Interment will be at the National Cemetery in Grafton at 2 p.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domico.com.

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