Benny Ray Hinton, 75, of Jackson died Thursday, April 10, 2014, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 13, 1938, in Cape Girardeau to the late George Dewey and Eileen V. Spain Hinton.

Benny and Nelda Ruth Morton were married Feb. 10, 1973, in Millersville, Mo.

He was a graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School where he was an outstanding basketball player. Benny then went on to earn a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Southeast Missouri State University.

Benny served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps and served at Subic Bay in the Philippines. When discharged he went to work for the Cape Girardeau Police Department. He then worked for the Missouri State Highway Patrol for 30 years.

He was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church, Scottish rite, Excelsior Lodge 441 AF&AM in Jackson, Cape Shrine Club, Missouri State Trooper's Association, Elks Lodge 639 in Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau VFW Post 3838, Order of Eastern Star, Cape Girardeau American Legion Post 63, Grand Order of Sword of Bunker Hill and the Subic Bay Marines Association.

Survivors include his wife, Nelda Ruth Hinton of Jackson; sons, Anthony "Tony" Hinton of Illinois and Scott Hinton of Massachusetts; stepson, Mark Morton of St. Louis; four brothers, Gerald (Ann) Hinton and Henry (Jeannie) Hinton, both of Jackson, Terry Hinton of Cape Girardeau and Mike (Mary Lou) Hinton of Sikeston, Mo.; three sisters, Marsha Hinton of Cape Girardeau, Nancy Irvine of Reno, Nev., and Carolyn Klueppel of Eureka, Mo.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. An Excelsior Lodge service will begin at 6 p.m., provided by Lodge 441 AF&AM.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday, with the Rev. Jimmie Corbin officiating.

Burial with military rites will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorial contributions may be sent to New McKendree United Methodist Church, 209 S. High Street, Jackson, MO 63755, or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.