On Sunday, October 18th 2020, Oliver Louis Winger, originally of Oil City, Pennsylvania, now from the Yorktown, Virginia area, passed away with his loving wife and children being able to be with him. He was 86 years of age. He was born in Oil City, the youngest of the seven children of Charles Edward Winger (1893-1934) and the former Myrtle Irene Bixler (1894-1984). His father died of pneumonia three days after Ollie was born. He attended Oil City schools and worked as a machinist for the Oil City Hospital where his mother was a pediatric nurse.
He had always wanted to be a soldier. Two of his older brothers had served in WWII, but he had been too young. But he was old enough when the Korean War came. Local newspapers reported that he joined the U.S. Army on September 28, 1951 and went to Basic Training at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Subsequently, Private Winger was shipped overseas and arrived in Korea on June 21, 1952. He was assigned to Company “E”, 2nd Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, Second Infantry Division. He was involved in serious combat in the “Old Baldy” area, and was awarded the Purple Heart from enemy grenade action in a place nicknamed “Alligator Jaws.” That was October, 1952. After hospital time he was able to return to duty. Ollie came home from Korea in the summer of 1953. He had become a Squad Leader in his unit and had been promoted to Sergeant (three stripes). That war had been a defining period of time that effected all of his life and the life of his family that was yet to be.
Once home, he and his sweetheart took no time in finally getting together. Oliver Louis Winger quickly married Miss Myra Lucille Graham on 15 August (1953) in a single ring ceremony officiated by Miss Graham's brother, the Rev. Kenneth Graham who was the Pastor of the local church.
Then in due time life as a military family began to emerge. Children were born where they were stationed in different places in the United States and overseas. They even had a tour of duty as a family on the island of Okinawa. But after all that peacetime service the Vietnam War came along. The then even higher ranking Sergeant Winger went to do his year of duty, part of his aviation unit time as a crew member in large choppers that flew into the still dangerous jungle to pick up downed aircraft. He came home in one piece. But he promised his wife that he would not serve in a war zone a third time. So when orders came down to go back to Vietnam for a second tour, he got out. Military service, which he loved so well, ended at 17 years. Family had become more important. They had all done more than their share of military service.
After his military career, life became good jobs that matched his expertise in what he had learned in life about helicopters and other things mechanical or requiring machine work. Finally they would settle in the Yorktown, Virginia area and retirement would come. They became the years where you are blessed with more time to be a husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, and an Uncle that nieces and nephews love to visit. And so he did as the many family pictures portray.
That Grandpa Ollie, now with the Lord, is survived by his wonderful wife Myra of 67 years, three sons, Rob, Dennis, and J.L. ; two daughters, Cindy Lou and Beth Lynn, and many children in the "grandpa categories" mentioned above. He is also survived by his sister Myrtle who is now 90 years of age and lives in Georgia with her daughter Sally and her family. Ollie was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brothers Bob, Bill, and Howard, his two sisters, Dora and Alice, and his first born, Sherry Lee, who went to be with the Lord at a very young age. But now her Dad is finally with her, as well as others who passed before him and taught him how to live.
A Memorial of his life was held privately by the immediate family and the burial was also done privately by the family. Even with the current health and safety standards, relatives and friends have still found novel ways to show their love and pay their respects. Family is still family no matter how far you live from each other. This memorial has been expressly done as an example of how you can keep on keeping on despite circumstances that may seem to stop you.
"Remember your leaders, those who taught you about God. Consider the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever." (Hebrews 13:7,8)
That is what we will continue to do Uncle Ollie. Thank you for your love for your family, your love for us your extended family, your love for your country, and most of all your love for your God Who you have taught us by example to serve. See you on the other side Sir :-)
Oh yes, if this could just be mentioned. In 1981, my wonderful wife Young Soon and I were married. She was born in South Korea, seven months after you had gone home. She has her own Korean War story to tell. But without your service and the service of all Korean War veterans, the family that we have today would never have happened. God has richly blessed us as He has surely blessed many others. Thank you Sir for your service, and most of all, thank You God for Your grace, love, and mercy and always having a plan for us, in spite of ourselves. Amen.
Allan L. Winger, U.S. Army Retired (and grandpa)
(nephew through oldest brother, Bob Winger)
He had always wanted to be a soldier. Two of his older brothers had served in WWII, but he had been too young. But he was old enough when the Korean War came. Local newspapers reported that he joined the U.S. Army on September 28, 1951 and went to Basic Training at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Subsequently, Private Winger was shipped overseas and arrived in Korea on June 21, 1952. He was assigned to Company “E”, 2nd Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, Second Infantry Division. He was involved in serious combat in the “Old Baldy” area, and was awarded the Purple Heart from enemy grenade action in a place nicknamed “Alligator Jaws.” That was October, 1952. After hospital time he was able to return to duty. Ollie came home from Korea in the summer of 1953. He had become a Squad Leader in his unit and had been promoted to Sergeant (three stripes). That war had been a defining period of time that effected all of his life and the life of his family that was yet to be.
Once home, he and his sweetheart took no time in finally getting together. Oliver Louis Winger quickly married Miss Myra Lucille Graham on 15 August (1953) in a single ring ceremony officiated by Miss Graham's brother, the Rev. Kenneth Graham who was the Pastor of the local church.
Then in due time life as a military family began to emerge. Children were born where they were stationed in different places in the United States and overseas. They even had a tour of duty as a family on the island of Okinawa. But after all that peacetime service the Vietnam War came along. The then even higher ranking Sergeant Winger went to do his year of duty, part of his aviation unit time as a crew member in large choppers that flew into the still dangerous jungle to pick up downed aircraft. He came home in one piece. But he promised his wife that he would not serve in a war zone a third time. So when orders came down to go back to Vietnam for a second tour, he got out. Military service, which he loved so well, ended at 17 years. Family had become more important. They had all done more than their share of military service.
After his military career, life became good jobs that matched his expertise in what he had learned in life about helicopters and other things mechanical or requiring machine work. Finally they would settle in the Yorktown, Virginia area and retirement would come. They became the years where you are blessed with more time to be a husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, and an Uncle that nieces and nephews love to visit. And so he did as the many family pictures portray.
That Grandpa Ollie, now with the Lord, is survived by his wonderful wife Myra of 67 years, three sons, Rob, Dennis, and J.L. ; two daughters, Cindy Lou and Beth Lynn, and many children in the "grandpa categories" mentioned above. He is also survived by his sister Myrtle who is now 90 years of age and lives in Georgia with her daughter Sally and her family. Ollie was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brothers Bob, Bill, and Howard, his two sisters, Dora and Alice, and his first born, Sherry Lee, who went to be with the Lord at a very young age. But now her Dad is finally with her, as well as others who passed before him and taught him how to live.
A Memorial of his life was held privately by the immediate family and the burial was also done privately by the family. Even with the current health and safety standards, relatives and friends have still found novel ways to show their love and pay their respects. Family is still family no matter how far you live from each other. This memorial has been expressly done as an example of how you can keep on keeping on despite circumstances that may seem to stop you.
"Remember your leaders, those who taught you about God. Consider the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever." (Hebrews 13:7,8)
That is what we will continue to do Uncle Ollie. Thank you for your love for your family, your love for us your extended family, your love for your country, and most of all your love for your God Who you have taught us by example to serve. See you on the other side Sir :-)
Oh yes, if this could just be mentioned. In 1981, my wonderful wife Young Soon and I were married. She was born in South Korea, seven months after you had gone home. She has her own Korean War story to tell. But without your service and the service of all Korean War veterans, the family that we have today would never have happened. God has richly blessed us as He has surely blessed many others. Thank you Sir for your service, and most of all, thank You God for Your grace, love, and mercy and always having a plan for us, in spite of ourselves. Amen.
Allan L. Winger, U.S. Army Retired (and grandpa)
(nephew through oldest brother, Bob Winger)
On Sunday, October 18th 2020, Oliver Louis Winger, originally of Oil City, Pennsylvania, now from the Yorktown, Virginia area, passed away with his loving wife and children being able to be with him. He was 86 years of age. He was born in Oil City, the youngest of the seven children of Charles Edward Winger (1893-1934) and the former Myrtle Irene Bixler (1894-1984). His father died of pneumonia three days after Ollie was born. He attended Oil City schools and worked as a machinist for the Oil City Hospital where his mother was a pediatric nurse.
He had always wanted to be a soldier. Two of his older brothers had served in WWII, but he had been too young. But he was old enough when the Korean War came. Local newspapers reported that he joined the U.S. Army on September 28, 1951 and went to Basic Training at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Subsequently, Private Winger was shipped overseas and arrived in Korea on June 21, 1952. He was assigned to Company “E”, 2nd Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, Second Infantry Division. He was involved in serious combat in the “Old Baldy” area, and was awarded the Purple Heart from enemy grenade action in a place nicknamed “Alligator Jaws.” That was October, 1952. After hospital time he was able to return to duty. Ollie came home from Korea in the summer of 1953. He had become a Squad Leader in his unit and had been promoted to Sergeant (three stripes). That war had been a defining period of time that effected all of his life and the life of his family that was yet to be.
Once home, he and his sweetheart took no time in finally getting together. Oliver Louis Winger quickly married Miss Myra Lucille Graham on 15 August (1953) in a single ring ceremony officiated by Miss Graham's brother, the Rev. Kenneth Graham who was the Pastor of the local church.
Then in due time life as a military family began to emerge. Children were born where they were stationed in different places in the United States and overseas. They even had a tour of duty as a family on the island of Okinawa. But after all that peacetime service the Vietnam War came along. The then even higher ranking Sergeant Winger went to do his year of duty, part of his aviation unit time as a crew member in large choppers that flew into the still dangerous jungle to pick up downed aircraft. He came home in one piece. But he promised his wife that he would not serve in a war zone a third time. So when orders came down to go back to Vietnam for a second tour, he got out. Military service, which he loved so well, ended at 17 years. Family had become more important. They had all done more than their share of military service.
After his military career, life became good jobs that matched his expertise in what he had learned in life about helicopters and other things mechanical or requiring machine work. Finally they would settle in the Yorktown, Virginia area and retirement would come. They became the years where you are blessed with more time to be a husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, and an Uncle that nieces and nephews love to visit. And so he did as the many family pictures portray.
That Grandpa Ollie, now with the Lord, is survived by his wonderful wife Myra of 67 years, three sons, Rob, Dennis, and J.L. ; two daughters, Cindy Lou and Beth Lynn, and many children in the "grandpa categories" mentioned above. He is also survived by his sister Myrtle who is now 90 years of age and lives in Georgia with her daughter Sally and her family. Ollie was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brothers Bob, Bill, and Howard, his two sisters, Dora and Alice, and his first born, Sherry Lee, who went to be with the Lord at a very young age. But now her Dad is finally with her, as well as others who passed before him and taught him how to live.
A Memorial of his life was held privately by the immediate family and the burial was also done privately by the family. Even with the current health and safety standards, relatives and friends have still found novel ways to show their love and pay their respects. Family is still family no matter how far you live from each other. This memorial has been expressly done as an example of how you can keep on keeping on despite circumstances that may seem to stop you.
"Remember your leaders, those who taught you about God. Consider the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever." (Hebrews 13:7,8)
That is what we will continue to do Uncle Ollie. Thank you for your love for your family, your love for us your extended family, your love for your country, and most of all your love for your God Who you have taught us by example to serve. See you on the other side Sir :-)
Oh yes, if this could just be mentioned. In 1981, my wonderful wife Young Soon and I were married. She was born in South Korea, seven months after you had gone home. She has her own Korean War story to tell. But without your service and the service of all Korean War veterans, the family that we have today would never have happened. God has richly blessed us as He has surely blessed many others. Thank you Sir for your service, and most of all, thank You God for Your grace, love, and mercy and always having a plan for us, in spite of ourselves. Amen.
Allan L. Winger, U.S. Army Retired (and grandpa)
(nephew through oldest brother, Bob Winger)
He had always wanted to be a soldier. Two of his older brothers had served in WWII, but he had been too young. But he was old enough when the Korean War came. Local newspapers reported that he joined the U.S. Army on September 28, 1951 and went to Basic Training at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Subsequently, Private Winger was shipped overseas and arrived in Korea on June 21, 1952. He was assigned to Company “E”, 2nd Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, Second Infantry Division. He was involved in serious combat in the “Old Baldy” area, and was awarded the Purple Heart from enemy grenade action in a place nicknamed “Alligator Jaws.” That was October, 1952. After hospital time he was able to return to duty. Ollie came home from Korea in the summer of 1953. He had become a Squad Leader in his unit and had been promoted to Sergeant (three stripes). That war had been a defining period of time that effected all of his life and the life of his family that was yet to be.
Once home, he and his sweetheart took no time in finally getting together. Oliver Louis Winger quickly married Miss Myra Lucille Graham on 15 August (1953) in a single ring ceremony officiated by Miss Graham's brother, the Rev. Kenneth Graham who was the Pastor of the local church.
Then in due time life as a military family began to emerge. Children were born where they were stationed in different places in the United States and overseas. They even had a tour of duty as a family on the island of Okinawa. But after all that peacetime service the Vietnam War came along. The then even higher ranking Sergeant Winger went to do his year of duty, part of his aviation unit time as a crew member in large choppers that flew into the still dangerous jungle to pick up downed aircraft. He came home in one piece. But he promised his wife that he would not serve in a war zone a third time. So when orders came down to go back to Vietnam for a second tour, he got out. Military service, which he loved so well, ended at 17 years. Family had become more important. They had all done more than their share of military service.
After his military career, life became good jobs that matched his expertise in what he had learned in life about helicopters and other things mechanical or requiring machine work. Finally they would settle in the Yorktown, Virginia area and retirement would come. They became the years where you are blessed with more time to be a husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, and an Uncle that nieces and nephews love to visit. And so he did as the many family pictures portray.
That Grandpa Ollie, now with the Lord, is survived by his wonderful wife Myra of 67 years, three sons, Rob, Dennis, and J.L. ; two daughters, Cindy Lou and Beth Lynn, and many children in the "grandpa categories" mentioned above. He is also survived by his sister Myrtle who is now 90 years of age and lives in Georgia with her daughter Sally and her family. Ollie was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brothers Bob, Bill, and Howard, his two sisters, Dora and Alice, and his first born, Sherry Lee, who went to be with the Lord at a very young age. But now her Dad is finally with her, as well as others who passed before him and taught him how to live.
A Memorial of his life was held privately by the immediate family and the burial was also done privately by the family. Even with the current health and safety standards, relatives and friends have still found novel ways to show their love and pay their respects. Family is still family no matter how far you live from each other. This memorial has been expressly done as an example of how you can keep on keeping on despite circumstances that may seem to stop you.
"Remember your leaders, those who taught you about God. Consider the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever." (Hebrews 13:7,8)
That is what we will continue to do Uncle Ollie. Thank you for your love for your family, your love for us your extended family, your love for your country, and most of all your love for your God Who you have taught us by example to serve. See you on the other side Sir :-)
Oh yes, if this could just be mentioned. In 1981, my wonderful wife Young Soon and I were married. She was born in South Korea, seven months after you had gone home. She has her own Korean War story to tell. But without your service and the service of all Korean War veterans, the family that we have today would never have happened. God has richly blessed us as He has surely blessed many others. Thank you Sir for your service, and most of all, thank You God for Your grace, love, and mercy and always having a plan for us, in spite of ourselves. Amen.
Allan L. Winger, U.S. Army Retired (and grandpa)
(nephew through oldest brother, Bob Winger)
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