E. T. Windham Jr.

E. T.is survived by his wife of 73 years, Ada Lee Williams Windham, daughters: L. Teresa Windham, Irene Windham Rogers (Phil Rogers), and Tammy R. Windham all of Charlotte, son-in-Law Gary Stephens of Fort Mill, SC, four grandchildren, Angie Stephens Sinclair, Jeffrey Stephens, Ashley Rogers Watford, and April Rogers, six great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, and one sister Toni Windham Owens of Monroe.

E.T. is preceded in death by his first daughter Vickie Ann Windham Stephens; his parents Zeke (E.T. Windham, Sr.) and Lillie Windham; six brothers Randolph Windham, Leilon Windham, Nolan Windham, Nathan Windham, Stanley Windham, Lemot Windham and three sisters Ruby Windham Ballard, Goldie Windham Taylor and Pauline Windham Graham.

E.T. was born on December 28, 1922 in Sumter, SC. He was the first of eleven children born to Ezekiel Thomas Windham, Sr. and Lillie Tucker Windham. He graduated from Bain High School in Mint Hill, NC. After high school, E.T. entered the Army/Air Force as an Auto Mechanic, where he served in the Southwest Pacific during WWII. E.T. was a member of the 13TH Troop Carrier Squadron. During his time overseas, E.T. built motorcycles from airplane parts and considered building motorcycles upon his return to the States.

Before going overseas, 19 year old E.T. started a conversation with a 14 year old girl at the train station in Waycross, Ga. He asked her to write him while he was overseas. That girl was Ada Lee Williams, who after writing each other for four years, became his wife.

After discharge from the service, E.T. went to work at City Chevrolet in Uptown Charlotte, NC as an auto mechanic. His daughters fondly remember going to City Chevrolet on Thanksgiving Day to watch the Carrousel Parade from the second floor shop windows. He had an auto repair shop at one time, Bel Air Motors, and later on worked at Fredrickson Motor Express. E.T. was always buying, repairing and reselling cars or anything to make a buck.

E.T. was a devoted member and deacon of Clanton Memorial Presbyterian Church until the church dissolved.

E.T. loved fishing, playing pinochle, eating boiled peanuts, ice cream, wheeling and dealing at the flea market, talking and telling long tales to anyone who would listen. He was a certified Bee Keeper for Mecklenburg County (at one time he had 24 hives), and always had a sign out to sell honey, even at the flea market. He loved toy trains and still has one to this day.

In his younger years, E.T. enjoyed Sunday afternoon visits to various family members, vacations to Georgia and Florida to visit family and many family reunions.

E.T. attributed his longevity to his daily morning exercise routine and a bowl of cereal with his coffee.

A grave side service is scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at 11:00am at Sharon Memorial Park located at 5716 Monroe Road in Charlotte.

The family would like to thank Hospice for the care that was extended to E.T. during his last days.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to Hospice of Union County or the American Parkinson Disease Association.