Obituary of Cecil Wingo

Cecil Standford Wingo, Sr. born March 26, 1925 entered God's wondrous palace on Saturday, November 3, 2012. Cecil was a life-long member of Belmont Christian church. Our Father's passing was very peaceful; God allowed Dad's mind to be very clear in his last hours. He was preceded in death by his parent's, Bud and Emma Wingo; his brothers and sisters, Virginia Arthur, Allen Wingo, Mason Wingo, Sr., Lois Coffey, Dorothy Overstreet, Ina Bobbitt and Leonard Wingo. Surviving are his brother, Vernon Wingo; also his true love of 65 years, Naomi Abshire Wingo; son, Cecil S. Wingo, Jr. and wife Beverly of Hobart, Indiana; daughters, Norma Wingo Jordan and husband Bill of Roanoke; Lori Wingo and partner Vickie Blanchett of Bangor, Maine; grandson, Stan Wingo and wife Laura of Clayton, N.C.; granddaughter, Amanda Wingo of Hobart, Indiana; great grandson, Cooper Wingo of Clayton, N.C.; brother-in-law, Walter Cundiff of Rocky Mount; sisters in law, Jackie Abshire of Rocky Mount; Marie Abshire of Northern Virginia; Alice Mottesherd of Salem and Helen Abshire of Roanoke; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Cecil bravely and proudly served his country during World War II. At the very young age of seventeen he participated in the European Theatre, where he fought in five of the eight campaigns of war, including D-Day +3, the Huertgen Forest 6, and the Battle of the Bulge. He received the Bronze Star with V for Valor in the face of combat. He also was awarded two Purple Hearts, having twice been wounded in action. Like so many other veterans, the ravages of war profoundly affected him the rest of his life. He and Naomi were proud to support the construction of the D-Day Memorial in Bedford as a tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives to protect their country. Cecil was no stranger to hard work. Upon returning to the states in November of 1945, Cecil found employment as a Machinist in the East End Shops of the Norfolk and Western Railway. He later served as a Deputy/Jailer with the Roanoke County Sheriffs' Department. Cecil always put the needs of his family first and instilled in each of his children the value of working hard and always doing the right thing. The family would like to thank, Dr. Kirk Hippensteel, Dr. Daniel Bauer and Pam LaPrade, FNP. Their dedication and compassion is greatly appreciated; not only shown to our Father but to the entire family. The Virginia Veterans Care Center for providing such good care for our dad during the past five years, the staff of 1 East, and many nurses and nurses assistants. Dad enjoyed caring on conversations and having laughs with them; especially his "buddy" Liz Jackson, and special nurse Denise whom he affectionately called "Blondie", and to Pastor's Elaine Austin and Matthew Ricks for their many visits and prayers. Dad was so very appreciative of everything that they did for him even in his last hours. The family suggests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to Belmont Christian Church in his honor. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road by Pastors Elaine Austin and Matthew Ricks. Interment with military honors will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday at Simpson Funeral Home. 366-0707