Bob Winchester

Robert “Bob” Hazel Winchester, 86, passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2016. He was born January 4, 1930 in Union County, NC, son of the late Horace Cunningham Winchester and late Laura Eloise Helms Campbell. He was raised by his paternal grandparents, John A. and Mary R. Winchester. After graduating from Mineral Springs High School in 1948, Bob worked for Springs Cotton Mills as a Bleachery Machine Operator from 1949-1951. On July 7, 1951, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth “Lib” Penegar and settled in Mineral Springs, NC, just two months before being inducted into the Army and assigned to the U.S. 3rd Army, 14th Armored Calvary Regiment on September 13, 1951. He served during the Korean Conflict in Germany and was honorably discharged on August 25, 1953. After the Army, he worked with the Niven-Price Company in Waxhaw and became an investor in the Waxhaw Bank Trust Company, which became American Bank Trust, UCB, and ultimately BBT. The family enjoyed many stories of his years working with Lib’s Uncle Robert Howie and Uncle Ben Price in the general mercantile, selling seed and cotton trading. He began his career with Stowe Woodward/Mount Hope working in the Machinery Shop on July 1, 1958 and retired on February 1, 1995 as a Sales Engineer, after 37 years working with the cotton and paper mills industry. Bob enjoyed tinkering and working with his hands; he always had a screwdriver in his pocket. He was first to offer his expertise when something needed fixing. He enjoyed growing a large garden and sharing much of it. He was known for his love of auctions and for bringing home unusual items – the antique engineless fire truck and the squirrel monkey among them. His 1949 Willys jeep was a favorite memory for his children and grandchildren. He devoted his life to volunteering in the local community and actively supported Scout Troop 68, Mineral Springs Youth Choir, Camp Quest Youth Camp, and Mineral Springs VFD. He served in leadership with the Civitan’s and on a board with BBT. Bob was a long-time member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, serving the church in many capacities, from Lay Leader to Conference Delegate in the Albemarle District and Western NC Conference. He served the Bishop’s Episcopy Committee and was on the Board of the NC Children’s Home in Winston-Salem. He and Lib were best known, however, for their tireless devotion to Pleasant Grove Campground and Camp Meeting. Bob was a fixture as a Trustee and Secretary/Treasurer of the Board for more than 40 years. Nothing gave them more pleasure than planning a great Camp Meeting Revival Week. The seeds of faith, family and traditions were planted early in his family. After retiring, Bob and Lib enjoyed traveling the world with their dear friends through Majestic Tours. They visited extensively in Europe, China, New Zealand, Australia and throughout the U.S. Bob was preceded in death by his beloved Elizabeth. You never saw the two apart for very long. When she passed in February, we knew he would not be far behind. He joined her just a day before they would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. We are comforted to know they are together. Bob is survived by his son, Gregg Winchester (wife, Lynn), daughter, Paula Coonrod (husband, David), grandchildren: Matthew Winchester (wife Shannon, great grandsons Cade and Deacon), Garrett Coonrod (wife, Ashton), Lauren Winchester Porter (husband, Dan), Jillian Winchester; three half-sisters: Ramelle Campbell Stevens (husband, Fred), Mary Winchester Barlow (husband, Rich), and Linda Winchester Hall (husband, Bill). He also dearly loved Lib’s family and called them his own: Ware, Jr. Penegar, Jacob Penegar (wife Glenda), Frances Penegar Padgett and Anna Plyler-Fitch (husband, Eddie) and their families. His dying wish was that we remain a close-knit family. The family will visit with friends and relatives Sunday, July 10, 2016 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. Funeral will be Monday, July 11, 2016 at 3 PM in Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Avenue, Monroe, NC. Burial will be at Lakeland Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove Campground or Pleasant Grove UMC, Attention Treasurer, 658 Cottonfield Circle, Waxhaw, NC 28173. Our sincere thanks to White Oak Waxhaw for their compassionate care. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory is caring for the Winchester family.