A friendly face that everyone knows when walking into Super Foods/Food Depot in Luverne is about to officially say goodbye after almost 53 years of working in the grocery business.

Hilton Stinson, the co-manager of Super Foods/Food Depot in Luverne, will retire this Saturday, June 23.

Stinson, who has lived in Butler County most of his life, has been working in Luverne since Oct. 14, 2002.

&#8220I graduated from Greenville High School in 1954,” he said. &#8220On Sept. 7 of that same year, I started working at the A & P in Greenville.”

And the rest is history.

Stinson has also worked at the Piggly Wiggly and the Super Foods in Greenville.

He was hired by the late Mr. John E. &#8220Jimmy” Wilson to work at Super Foods/Food Depot in Luverne in 2002.

Mr. Jimmy Wilson and his wife, Mrs. Alyce M. Wilson, were the founding owners of the business. Their son, John M. Wilson, is the present owner.

&#8220I was going to retire Aug. 1, 2006,” Stinson said, smiling, &#8220but I stretched that to December.”

Stinson ended up staying until June.

&#8220I have definitely enjoyed being over here,” he said. &#8220I've had many customers tell me, ‘You can't leave!'”

He smiles and says that he can't say enough about the Wilsons.

&#8220I wish Mr. Jimmy were here,” he said. &#8220I feel like I've completed my mission here - this store will continue to grow - I'm just stepping aside.”

Mary King, the front end manager and head cashier at the grocery store, said if there were &#8220a few more people just like Mr. Stinson in the world, it would be a much better place.”

&#8220He's a good, Christian man,” King said. &#8220I am really going to miss his good attitude and the sweet spirit he has toward people, the people we work with and the people we work for.”

King said that Stinson enjoys it when she brings him a plate of her homemade cooking for supper.

&#8220I treat him like he's one of my family members,” she said.

And just what will he do with all of that time off?

&#8220Oh, I'll just take retirement day by day,” Stinson said. &#8220My wife Bettie and I like to go to the mountainsŠjust have a little quiet time. Plus, I'll be able to put more time into my church activities.”

&#8220I know my wife will find plenty for me to do,” he said, laughing.