Obituary: Michael Anthony Winney

Michael Anthony Winney passed away at the age of 83 on Aug. 17, 2019, in Prescott, Arizona, his residence for 43 years. He was born Jan. 26, 1936, in Whittier, California, and was the sole survivor of six children born to parents Arthur Lou Winney and Mabel Wallberg Winney.

He is predeceased by his brothers, Arthur Winney and Leonard Winney; and his sisters, Margaret Wallace, Patricia (Berger) Fangmeyer, and Kathleen Rose. He is survived by his step-sisters, Juanita Barron and Donna Moore. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Elizabeth; and four children from a prior marriage, Theresa Hoffman of Texas, Leonard Winney of South Dakota, Mary Lewis and Phillip Winney of California. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Michael was a veteran of the United States Air Force having served from 1953-1957, including a tour of duty in Kimpo, Korea. In 1954, he was among the initial Air Force contingent deployed to the Kingman Air Force Station, popularly known as “Radar Hill.” Upon discharge, he began service with the Anaheim Police Department from which he retired a Sergeant in 1976.

He and Elizabeth moved to Prescott where in time, missing applying his skills as an investigator and fingerprint examiner, he joined the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office from which he retired after having assisted in solving many challenging cases.

Michael had many interests over his long lifetime which always kept him occupied. He was enthusiastically supported by Elizabeth who also enjoyed many of these activities. He raced bicycles, was a certified SCUBA diver, skin diver and avid body surfer, enjoying many hours catching the big ones at Huntington Beach. He was a collector of modern jazz records and had an extensive collection of antique radios which he enjoyed restoring to original playing condition. Automobiles, especially British sport cars, were a passion of his and he restored many.

As an eleventh-generation American, Michael worked tirelessly producing a genealogy book that detailed the family’s service in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Spanish-American War and both World Wars.

Michael had a lifetime interest in science and theology, and avidly studied these subjects. Always an inquirer, after years as an agnostic, he came to believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ and upon further study he and Elizabeth were Chrismated into the Greek Orthodox Church. Michael was ultimately tonsured a Reader and was honored to serve at the local St. George Orthodox Church for many years.

Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with Trisagion Prayers to begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at St. George Orthodox Church of Prescott at 609 W. Gurley St. in Prescott. A reception in the Fellowship Hall will begin at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at St. George with a lunch reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Phone: 928-777-8750. Parking is available behind the church via Park Avenue. Interment will follow at noon at Mountain View Cemetery, 1051 Willow Creek Road in Prescott. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s memory for the benefit of the future Prayer and Serenity Garden. Checks may be made payable to St. George Orthodox Church, 609 W. Gurley St., Prescott, AZ 86303; notation: Michael Winney memorial.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Heritage Memory Mortuary. Please visit www.heritagemortuary.com to sign Michael’s online guestbook.

Information provided by survivors.


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