Feb 27, 1955 — Jul 27, 2026
The Memorial services celebrating and honoring the life of Retired Sheriff Bill Winchester, 71, of Waukomis, will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday August 10, 2026 in the Central Christian Church with Rev Ronnie Hopkins and Chaplain Butch Phillips co-officiating. Complete cremation care and services are under the direction of Brown-Cummings, A life celebration home.
Bill was born February 27, 1955, to Dwight and Leota June “June” (Brawley) Winchester in Bozeman, Montana, and passed from this life July 27, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
He was raised and educated around the United States following his father’s show cattle career until 1969 when the family moved to Waukomis, Oklahoma. While attending Waukomis Schools he enjoyed playing football. He married Peggy Earlene Ward December 5, 1972. Upon his Honorable discharge from the Air Force, he began working in the oil field and trucking before beginning his career in law enforcement. He started as a patrolman with Waukomis Police in January 1987. In October 1987 he began working for Garfield County Sheriff’s Department for Sheriff Bob Burnett. During his career at the Sheriff’s Department he served as field deputy, jail administrator for 1 year, Undersheriff for 5 years and Sheriff for 14 years until his retirement in December 2012. During his career he received many awards and certificates and was an advanced CLEET Instructor. He served on the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association executive board, received the Sheriff of the Year Award in 2009 and was inducted into the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association Hall of Fame in 2011. He enjoyed spending time with his family and checking the cattle every morning at his son’s farm. In his younger years he was a Boy Scout Leader, member of Waukomis Lion’s Club and served on the Waukomis Volunteer Fire Department where he was an EMT. He was a Christian and was an active church member for many years. He always thought of others before himself.
He is survived by his wife Peggy Winchester, of the home, two children, Ron Winchester and wife Kim, of Bison and Jill Martinez and husband Reinaldo, of Oklahoma City; five grandchildren, Caitlin Fuxa and husband Braidon, Mason Martinez, Weston Martinez, Grant Winchester, and Claire Winchester; and four great grandchildren, McKenna, Rowyn, Wrenleigh, and Joel; three brothers, Eric and Kit Winchester, of Tampa, Florida, Scott and Melody Winchester, of McKinney, Texas, and Jay and Barbara Winchester, of Belgrade, Montana; and one sister, Maria Murphy Sweet, of Nampa, Idaho; and many other extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Dwight and June Winchester and one brother Clint Winchester.
Memorials may be made in his honor to Central Christian Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital with Brown-Cummings serving as custodian of the funds.
