Samuel Norris Winstead

He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska to Army Air Corps Corporal Samuel Oliver “Bill” Winstead and his wife Julia Ann Smith. He attended high school in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, then graduated from Kaiserslautern American High School, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany in 1961.

He attended Perkinston Junior College (now Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College). To help pay for his college he drove the commuter student bus. This was where he met his future wife, Margo Hamill of Biloxi MS. They married in 1966 in Pascagoula, MS.

After receiving his associate of science degree from Perkinston Junior College, Sam graduated from Ole Miss (the University of Mississippi) in 1967 with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, specializing in petrochemical. He started his career with Fluor, but also worked for Technip, Worley Parsons, Jacobs and various others during his 40+ year career. In the course of his career he traveled to multiple countries, and had the opportunity to bring Margo and the girls, broadening their view of the world.

Sam spent his entire professional life as a Petroleum Chemical Engineer; became a member of American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and was recognized for half-century membership in 2017. He was still a member at his death.

He was a 32nd degree Master Mason who began his Masonic affiliation in 1957 when he joined Order of DeMolay at McLeod Masonic Lodge #424 of Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

He was a lifetime member of Gray Lodge #329, Houston TX. It quickly followed with initiation into Bluebell Chapter #856 Order of Eastern Star alongside his wife Margo. Sam was a loyal supporter and advisory board member of Bluebell Assembly #261 and Herschel Clark Assembly #116 (Plainfield, IL) during his daughter’s tenure as Rainbow Girls.

Sam had an endless desire to learn. For his daughters he was an inexhaustible source of knowledge about chemistry, mathematics, physics, astronomy, human nature, geology, history… and if he didn’t have an answer he would join you on the search to find it. He worked with wood to build a large radio control sailboat, a large glider, and a dollhouse. He created useful tools and containers from wood. He learned to build telescopes. He loved chess, Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, camping, hiking, spelunking, animals of all kinds. He was a Boy Scout, Scout Leader, earning his Wood Badge, a Girl Scout with his wife and daughters.

He had just reached his 50th year as a Ham radio operator. His interest in HAM radio was inspired by his older cousin Glenwood Taylor (1908-1967) who was an amateur radio operator.

Sam was unable to participate directly in the Vietnam conflict because his petrochemical engineering job was vital to military support. As an alternative way to contribute he participated in the Amateur Relay Radio Service. He was also able to provide rescue assistance in hurricanes.

Sam’s novice call sign in 1970 was WN5AKU novice class license.

In 1971 His call sign was upgraded to General Class WB5AKU in the United States. His reciprocal British operating license G5BOQ (1975); His reciprocal Dutch operator license PA9AUZ (1976)

He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel O “Bill” Winstead & Julia Ann Smith of Ocean Springs MS.

He is survived by his wife, Margo Hamill Winstead, Daughters Ginger Ann Carmichael & Sally Lynn Winstead, grandson Geoffrey all of Houston Texas; granddaughter Amanda Wooden , her husband Austin of Bunker Hill, WV; brother Patrick Mitchell “Mike” Winstead & wife Linda of Las Vegas NV, and Jake Winstead & wife Andrea of North Biloxi, MS along with numerous nieces and nephews.