Spud Winzer, born June 25, 1923 in Nacogdoches, Texas to Sarah Elizabeth and William Jonathan Winzer, Sr., passed away at his home in Fannett, Texas on Saturday morning, October 30, 2004 at the age of 81. He fought a courageous ten-year battle with numerous cancers.
He moved to Winnie, Texas in 1937 and graduated from East Chambers High School in 1941. In December of 1944, he married Marie Remkes Winzer. He joined the Army in 1945 and served until 1947 as Staff Sergeant. He was stationed in Keyota, Japan in the Motor Division with the first wave of troops in the occupation of Japan. He and his brother, Wayne Winzer, started Winzer Brothers Farms in 1948 and Spud continued to rice farm until 1995. His son, J. S. Winzer farmed with him until his death in 1979. After Wayne’s death in 1993, Wayne’s son, Rusty Winzer, continued farming with his Uncle Spud until 1995. Along with farming almost all of his life, Spud was also manager of M&M Air Service located in Winnie for ten years.
He had a passion for deer hunting which started with his family and friends when they acquired their first deer lease in Junction, Texas in 1958. His hunting continued until 1999. He was a charter member of the Winnie Rice Farmers Co-op, supporter of Boys’ Haven, and a member of Winnie-Stowell Lions Club. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Winnie and served on various church boards.
He is survived by his daughter, Sheila Winzer Marino and husband Henry; also by his companion for twenty-two years, Shirley Nolen and her children Mark Nolen and Rochelle Poindexter; grandchildren, Wesley Meissner, Bart Winzer and wife April, and Ronny Manning; great grandchildren, Aaron Meissner, Blake Meissner, Bailey Winzer and Aidan Winzer; sisters, Dorothy McBride and Mary Hall; sisters-in-law, Marie “Peachie “ Winzer and Helen Winzer; and also numerous nieces and nephews.
Spud was predeceased by his son, James Spurgeon Wesley "J.S." Winzer, Jr.; and brothers, Wayne Winzer, Robert Winzer, and W. J. Winzer, Jr.
Special thanks to Dr. Denton Harris and Dr. Hilal M. Fanasch, as well as their office staffs for their years of caring and support. Also, a thank you to the staff of Professional Healthcare Hospice Unit.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 2, 2004 at Broussard’s, 134 W. Buccaneer, Winnie with Brother Kenneth Hodges of First Baptist Church of Winnie officiating. Graveside services will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie. Pallbearers will be his nephews, Rusty Winzer, Larry Winzer, Mike Winzer and Carlyle McBride; and great nephews, Ross Robinson, Eric Winzer, and Colby Winzer. A gathering of family and friends will be Monday evening, November 1, 2004 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Mortuary.
He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by his loving family and many friends and acquaintances.
