Virgil Wilbur Winchenbach, 91, of Waldoboro, went home to be with the Lord on March 30.
He was born on Nov. 22, 1916 in Waldoboro, a son of the late Millard and Ruth Studley Winchenbach.
He was a self employed clam fisherman before he enlisted in the US Army in 1942. He was a Tec 5 heavy truck driver and operating engineman. His main duty was maintaining the power plants in order to keep them operational and to ensure their radar activity. He served overseas in WWII in the Aleutian Islands. He qualified as a carbine sharpshooter and received the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, American Theater Campaign Ribbon and the Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged from the Army on Nov. 22, 1945.
He was a life-time member of the VFW Post 4525 and received a life-time member plaque which hangs on the wall at the VFW hall in Waldoboro.
He enjoyed raising fox hounds and running them whenever he could. He won a trophy during a fox trial in Dutch Neck, Waldoboro, for having the best fox hound in the country. He still holds that same trophy today, which has never been relinquished to any owner of a fox hound of that nationally known fox trial. He was always known for raising the best fox hounds in this area and beyond.
He raced his wooden Liberty boat with a 25 Mercury outboard motor, hand made by Mercury. There was only a handful made. He came in first many times.
He enjoyed riding his Indian motorcycle up and down through town when he was a teenager.
He was employed by the state and the Wiscasset Power Plant for a few years and was forced to retire from Sylvania after 23 years of employment due his failing health.
He truly loved his family and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Earl and Rodney Winchenbach and sister, Elsie Martin.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Mary Winchenbach of Waldoboro; sons, Stanley Winchenbach and wife Katie of Waldoboro, and Dana Winchenbach and partner Debbie Sanborn of Waldoboro; step children, Donna Kelly and husband Dan of Wolfeboro, N.H., and Donald Turner and wife Linda of Union; grandchildren, Trevor, Christopher and Ryan Kelly of Wolfeboro, N.H.; Donald and Darren Turner of Virginia, David Turner of Waldoboro, Sonya and Joel Winchenbach of Waldoboro, and Jason Winchenbach and wife Heather of Round Pond; great-grandchildren, Christopher and Zachery Mank and Dylan Saunders of Waldoboro, and Caleb Winchenbach of New Harbor; step grandchildren, Cruz Richards of Warren, Claire Turner of Warren, Donald Turner, Jr. of Virginia, Abigail Turner of Ohio and Rebecca Collins of Ohio; brother, Roy Winchenbach and wife Cynthia of Back Cove; sisters, Faye Winchenbach of Waldoboro, and Arlene Burns and husband Keith of Nobleboro; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours 6-8 p.m., Fri., April 4, at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
A graveside service 11 a.m., Mon., April 7, at the Dutch Neck Cemetery in Waldoboro, with Pastor Tom Rawley officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Virgil’s memory to the American Cancer Society, NE Division, 1 Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
