07/29/2026
Paul William Hinson, 54, of Manns Harbor, NC, passed away at home surrounded by his family and loved ones on July 22, 2026. Paul was taken home in his fifth year of fighting colon cancer. He was a cherished son, father, husband, and friend. He was remarkable. He will be missed beyond measure.
Paul lived — really lived. He was born on April 6, 1972, and grew up in Hickory, NC, joyfully exploring the woods, riding trail bikes, and playing with BB guns with his first friends. In 1988, he joined his mother in Manns Harbor, where he gained more family members and grew his circle of friends. Paul was a scholar-athlete, lettering in Cross Country, Wrestling, and Track at Manteo High School, from which he graduated in 1990. Paul curated a strong community in high school, forming lasting friendships. He began Western Carolina University in 1990, leaving soon after to join the Army, a proud point in Paul’s history.
Returning to Manns Harbor, Paul turned his hand to carpentry, growing his skills and knowledge, and increasing his capabilities through hands-on experience and education. He opened a contracting and custom carpentry business, Harbor WoodWorks, specializing in home construction, finishing, and custom woodwork tailored to the Outer Banks. Paul was passionate about his work and was well respected by clients and the community alike.
While his vocation was a point of pride for him, his life also held many grand adventures. From fishing trips to concerts, island vacations to retreats with GaianRhythm, trips with family and with friends, martial arts, involvement in conservation efforts in Dare County by renovating the Keeper’s Cottage at Bodie Island Light, and spontaneous journeys such as putting his skills to work in Louisiana immediately after Hurricane Katrina, Paul lived life to the fullest. Faith was a crucial component of who Paul was, and he shared God’s love in the mission field in Mexico, in the pulpit, and leading the men’s group as a certified lay minister at Harbor Light Church in Manns Harbor under his mentor, Pastor Anthony Ralph. His greatest adventure was being a father, and his children were his pride and joy.
A late in life adventure for Paul was cultivating a friendship into love. Paul met his wife, Heather, on a retreat in Tennessee. They developed a deep friendship that spanned from Washington State to North Carolina. Coast to coast, that grew into a love that cannot be ended by death.
Paul is survived by his mother, Judy C. Fougner, and stepfather, John C. Fougner; his wife, Heather Bajramovic Hinson; his children, Noah Hinson and Ellie Hinson, and their mother; his daughters, Jasmin Bajramovic, Alissa Bajramovic, and granddaughter, Emerald Ripley; his sisters, twin Paulette Gibson, Patrice Carter, Pauline Reyes, Donna Marcil, and Wanda White; his brothers Joel Hinson, Billy Joe Hinson, and Hunter White; his many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews; and his lifelong friends, Brent Martin, Allen “Butch” Lane, and Robyn Martin. He was predeceased in death by his beloved father, Joseph Marion Hinson. Paul was loved by many and will be missed immensely.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at Bostwick’s Magnolia Manor in Wanchese, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Paul’s memory to: American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/ or Oncology Outer Banks Surfing programs through First Descents, which provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer at https://firstdescents.org/get-involved/donate/
If you would like to share photos and memories of Paul with his family, please email them to: [email protected]. Please leave a message of comfort for the Hinson family at gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services was entrusted with arrangements.
