William Robert (Winnie) Winchester
MARYDEL, Del. - William Robert (Winnie) Winchester passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2021.
Winnie was a lifelong Delaware resident. He was born just over the border in Maryland, on December 15, 1944, son of the late William E. Winchester. Winnie spent his childhood in rural Milford and as a boy entered a prize-winning pig at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington. He attended William W.M. Henry Comprehensive High School in Dover and graduated with honors. At William Henry, Winnie participated in football and track. He excelled in middle distance races, winning often and setting a state record in the mile run, in part due to an unconventional training regimen, running in ankle weights and work boots during the hot summer months. Winnie capped his track career with two first place team finishes–in the two mile and medley races–at the prestigious 1962 Penn Relays.
Winnie attended Delaware State University, prior to joining the workforce in the Dover area, where he would labor in a variety of jobs for nearly forty years. In the 1970's, Winnie worked at the Gilpin Drug Distribution Center in Dover, where he relied on exceptional recall to swiftly and accurately fill orders. Later, he was employed as a chemical operator for twenty years at the Dow Reichhold specialty plant in Cheswold.
Winnie lived in Marydel for 44 years in the first house he ever bought. When home, he could typically be found sitting on the end of his favorite couch watching sports, cheering on the Eagles, Phillies or 76ers. If outside, Winnie was probably cutting his grass, push-mowing a full acre for decades, until acquiescing to age and using a riding mower in his 60's.
Upon his retirement in the early 2000's, Winnie remained active and visible in the Kent County community. He regularly attended local high school and college football and basketball games and frequented Spence's Bazaar & Auction. When the weather was favorable, he would get his exercise walking around Silver Lake and when it was not, he would stroll inside at the Blue Hen Mall. Winnie was a fixture at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover, where he would spend time with friends while enjoying a warm meal.
Childhood exploits, work history and leisure activities cannot begin to define Winnie's essence. At his heart, he was a man who deeply loved and was equally loved by his family. Winnie was kind, generous and unpretentious. His stories were legendary. His observations of modern life unique and hilarious. Young and old were naturally drawn to his unassuming demeanor and easy laugh. No family gathering, birthday, special event or Sunday afternoon barbeque could be complete without Winnie. And none will ever be the same.
Winnie is survived by his sons, Jeffrey Winchester and wife Katie of Cheswold, Del., Darrell Hughes and wife Elaine of Watauga, Texas, and Scott Winchester and wife June of Middletown, Del.; daughter, Sharon Payne and husband Eric of Doylestown, Pa.; fifteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A Public Viewing will be held on 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at Evan W. Smith Funeral Services, 518 S. Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901 with a Private Celebration of Life Service to follow. Interment is Emmanuel A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Hartly, Del.
