Looking for Perkins from West VA OR LA

Hello, I am looking on info on my grandfather Alfred E. Perkins. I know he was born in New Hill, West VA and lived in New Orleans LA in the late 1940's and early 1950's. He left my grandmother, my father and aunt in 1952 or 1953. He was in the army. I know little about him. My grandmother would not talk much about him. She said he had cherokee Indian in him. He would be around 81 now. I really would like to find out what happen to him.