Wayland Tony Winton

Wayland Tony Winton, passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at his home in Minden, NV after a long illness. He was 76 years old. He was born January 29, 1940 in Fresno, CA to Wiley Perry Winton and Ruby Jewel (Garrison) Winton. Tony was the 7th of 8 children. From a young age, he bought and fixed up old cars and used them to haul produce on his parents’ ranch. From an early age, he loved to experiment with electricity and even went so far as to attach an electric cord to the doorknob of his room to keep his little sister out. Tony graduated from the 12th grade and went directly into the Navy at 17, so fast that his mom had to pick up his diploma. He served from August 9, 1957 to August 8, 1963 and was aboard the USS Prevail as an engineman. After the military, Tony went into construction and worked there for 10 years building tunnels at Hell Hole Reservoir, the Auburn Oper Tunnel, and the San Luis Dam Project. Tony had a license to handle dynamite. Tony began working at the El Dorado County Department of Transportation (DOT) in 1971 as a heavy equipment mechanic and was instrumental in getting the Operating Engineers Local 3D set up. He retired May 1996 after 24 ½ years. Tony married Joyce on April 9, 1983 in Carson City. He liked working with his hands and there was not anything he could not do. He made and flew Benson Gyrocopters, ultralights and a KR2 kit plane. He also built a Jeep, and a 2-story home in Placerville. He worked for the Hangtown Speedway grading the racetrack every Friday & Saturday night from 1975 to 1980. He would love to take his kids down there so they could ride their bikes around the track and meet the drivers. Tony had a lot of hobbies, such as metal work of any kind, antique miniature engines, rock collecting, camping in the Nevada desert with the ARC rock group, and black powder shooting. He loved helping people. Tony attended Good Shephard Wesleyan Church in Carson City. Tony is survived by his wife Joyce Winton of 33 ½ years, children, Lora (Dillan), Amanda (J.R.), Tony Jr. (Margaret), Step-sons, Jim Russell (Debbie), and John Russell (Julie), Sister Linda Sue Bethel of Fresno, CA, Sister-in-law Verna Winton of Spokane, Washington, 11 grandkids, 11 great grandkids. Everybody loved Tony. Graveside service at Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery with military honors at a future date.

Tributes

Wayland Tony Winton

June 29, 1940 - November 3, 2016