William “Bud” Anton Winchester

May 11, 1923 ~ November 27, 2018 –San Diego

Bud, as he was known to all, was a fun-loving, kindhearted, gentle giant but was never considered a push-over as he stood up for the truth in all things. Even though he was born at Fort Lewis, Washington, where his father was stationed as a soldier in the U.S. Army finishing his WWI service, the whole family returned home to San Diego when Bud was just 8 weeks old. His parents were Arleigh and Signa Winchester of San Diego where his Dad was employed by the San Diego Police Department as a Motorcycle Officer. Bud was the 2nd of 5 children.

Bud attended Encanto Elementary School, Memorial Junior High and then San Diego High School. During High School he was to graduate but the call of War ate at him so the day after Pearl Harbor he tried to enlist in the Navy but was rejected as he was color blind. He decided to go into the Army and was assigned to the U.S. Army Corps 2759th Combat Engineers, Company B. He was sent to Europe as part of the European Theater of Operations. Bud was promoted to Sergeant right away as the Army saw the potential in him as a leader and the ability to be able to communicate with all the men no matter of their race, color or creed. He was part of the 3rd Wave of Omaha Beach clearing the way for the Army and the Marines to invade. He went on to build Pontoon bridges throughout Europe and suffered daily bombing attacks. He was in the middle of the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne – surrounded by the enemy – but lived to tell about it. Keeping his men in good spirits throughout the war was his goal and they all attributed their surviving the war to his positive attitude. May I remind you that during this time Bud was just out of High School leading men in war at the young age of 18.

When he returned home there was no fanfare. When asked about his time there he said "he left it all behind him – there in Europe" which is what most of his generation did regarding the War. He did answer my first request when I asked him "What did you do doing the War?" He cupped his hands and shouted into the air "Incoming!" I did not think much of that until I started reading about what he did during the war. Like Omaha Beach and what he did there…unbelievable.

He returned home after the War and went to work. With severe hearing loss he went back to what he was doing before the war – driving a truck. Bud was with friends when he was asked by an older gentleman to give his daughter a ride home from work. He was the only one with a car among the young men and he said that he would be glad to give his daughter a ride home. She walked through the door and Bud was hooked. They never missed a day from each other from that time forward. In fact he was outside her work the next day to give her a ride home.

He had thought about going to college but knew that he would not be able to hear the teachers so he continued to work doing physical labor. He drove a truck for Pat Colonelli Distributors delivering Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer all over town. He was a big man with the strength of many as he would hoist a full keg unto his shoulder and walk with it into the place of business to deliver it. He was truly a big Swede.

He was an active Teamster from Local Union #683 his whole life. He also joined the Point Loma Masonic Lodge #620 in February 1962 and received an Award as a 50 year member in 2012. Bud was also proud of his legacy as another generation of Winchester’s who had fought for our Country’s freedom from as early as 1635. Bud’s father, Arleigh, had fought in WWI, WWII, and served on the SDPD for over 20 years

between wars. This service inspired Bud to serve his Country. Bud was also listed as a 100% Disabled Veteran as he lost his ability to hear during WWII. He received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star but considered himself just a soldier giving of himself and asking nothing in return. He was a true red-blooded American giving of himself for the fight for Freedom.

In 2017 he was honored at the Flag Day Celebration in Old Town for his military service. He also contributed to the Drive to 5,000 for the Spreckel's Organ Pavilion and is listed on one of the plaques for all those who participated to make it the largest outdoor pipe organ in the World. He was very proud that he went down in history as the oldest Graduate of San Diego High School ~ Class of 2018.

Principal Carmen Garcia researched and found that Bud had earned enough credits to graduate in 1941, so she made arrangements for this to be rectified. She offered my father the opportunity to graduate with the rest of the class of 2018. He was elated and did participate in the graduation ceremony. He loved to play Golf, enjoyed the beach, Patriotic events, and participating in family activities. He was married to his wife Donna just 5 weeks short of 72 years. He leaves a legacy of 4 children, 8 grandchildren, 21 Great Grandchildren, and 2nd great grandchildren are on the way.

Bud was so happy and proud that he had received his diploma at the age of 95, Patience. For the months following the graduation he walked fondly of San Diego High School and his opportunity to receive this honor. He truly did live by the motto “God, Home and Country. He was very patriotic and never missed the chance to vote or even the space shuttle launches. He supported his family with love and the determination to succeed. He was a very honest man and a very high level of integrity. Even though his hearing was gone completely, because of his service during the War, he served his neighbors and the community at large in any way possible.