OBIT: Billie Charles Wingard (born in Echo)

Billie Charles Wingard passed away at home on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, surrounded by his family.

Born August 22, 1925, in Echo (Wayne Township), Billie was the son of the late Charles “Ward” and Ruth Wingard.

Billie worked for 29 years in a variety of roles within the Peoples’ Natural Gas Company in Pittsburgh, retiring in 1987 as a dispatcher.

Billie, known as “Pop” by many, was a loving husband of 68 years, a caring father, and grandfather.

In May of 2000, Billie and his wife moved from Apollo, to Kingston, New York so that they could play an active role in the life of their granddaughter.

He was an avid woodworker and handyman, Billie was always eager to help family and friends with their home improvement projects.

In recent years, he built beautiful birdhouses for the special people in his life. He loved to show off his train layout in the family room. Many a child got to wear the engineer hat, operate the train, and blow the whistle.

Billie was an accomplished traveler and was always up for a rollercoaster or submarine ride. He was active in his church, loved a good story, often dispensed wisdom in the form of humor, and was a fan of a good piece of lemon pie.

He will be missed by his many beloved friends and family.

Billie is survived by his wife, Eva “Dorgene” Wingard; son, Dan; daughter in-law, Shari; and granddaughter, Sarah Rose.

In addition to his parents, Billie is preceded in death by his brother, Jackie H. Wingard.

A Rite of Christian burial was celebrated at 10:30AM Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 104 Wurts St., Kingston, New York.

The Rev. James Rowe was presiding.
Friends and family will be received from 3-6PM tomorrow - Thursday, January 29 - at Carson/ Boyer Funeral Home in Rural Valley.

The service will be at 11AM Friday, January 30, 2015 at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Harkelroad Cemetery in Rural Valley.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 104 Wurts St. Kingston, N.Y.