Cmsgt. David Winward, Usaf (Ret.)

A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, David Winward gained his wings on the morning of Monday, November 30, 2020, at the Hazel Colson Hospice House in Perry, Georgia. He was 82 years old.

Born on March 22, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, David was the son of the late Charles Winward and Emily Bevan Winward Hammond. David proudly served his country in the United States Army for two years as a Chaplain Assistant. He then served 31 dedicated and honorable years in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, and Desert Sheild/Storm/Calm. He retired with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant after earning numerous ribbons, medals, and awards including the Meritorious Medal with two devices, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Oversea Service Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device. Although David had a passion for serving his country, he was even more passionate about his wife, Karin and their children. Through the good and the bad, he was always there for his children, stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He treated his stepchildren as if they were his own and tried to attend any school functions and activities in which his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were involved. One of the proudest moments of David’s life was when he and Karin wore their Air Force uniforms to attend their daughter Katrina’s promotion to Senior NCO; he surprised her by reading the Senior NCO creed. David had a great love for public speaking and this was his most memorable speech.

David was involved in his community and a member of several organizations including the past Commander of the American Legion Post 172, a past member of the Middle Georgia Honor Guard, Toastmasters International, and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6605, and the Air Force Sergeants Association. He served as a military liaison for the Middle Georgia Committee supporting the “Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)” program under the authority of the United States of America’s Secretary of Defense for many years in Warner Robins. David was well known for throwing the best New Year’s and American Legion parties as well as the best Air Force Reserve team building functions. In what little spare time David managed to find, he enjoyed making vegetable and fruit art presentations, becoming a Junior Master in Ikebana Flower art, and sailing across the seas with his family on many cruises. David also had a heart for animals and was a foster parent to over 100 dogs from the Humane Society of Houston County. Two of the foster dogs imprinted on his heart and he became a fur dad to two fur babies, Bambi and Izzy, in what he referred to as a “foster fail.” He will be sorely missed but his legacy will live on through the many lives in which he invested.

In addition to his parents, his son, Kurt Terrill; and brother, Charles Winward preceded David in death.

His memory will forever be treasured by his loving wife of 40 years, Karin Marie Whaley Winward; children, Jennifer Knowles (Billy), Julie Clinkenbeard (James), Jacque Milanek (Paul), Katrina McIntosh (Mike), Kevin Terrill (Kathy); grandchildren, Juanita Knowles, Trey Knowles, Ashley Youngblood, Catherine Elrod, James Clinkenbeard, Amber Rader, Erin Milanek, James Terrill, Nicholas Terrill, Kevin “Michael” Terrill; great-grandchildren, Cameron and Brianna Neisler, Katey Conley, Mack Brown, Bradyn, Callen, Chloe Youngblood, Ella Clinkenbeard, Jonathan Scarbary, and Benjamin and Mason Rader.

Visitation will be Friday, December 4, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service celebrating Mr. Winward will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2020, in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with Pastor John Lancaster officiating. A celebration of life will be held immediately after the service at the American Legion Post 172, 1345 Radio Loop, Warner Robins, Georgia 31088. Mr. Winward will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a later date. At the family’s requests, mask will be required for anyone attending visitation or the funeral service and red, white, and blue attire is encouraged. For friends and family unable to attend, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of CMSgt. David Winward, USAF (Ret.) to the Humane Society of Houston County, Inc., 810 Carl Vinson Parkway, Centerville, Georgia 31028 or to the Heart of Georgia Hospice, 103 Westridge Drive, Warner Robins, Georgia 31088.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.