Ellis Winkler

Ellis Jerome Otto Winkler, of Burnet, went to his heavenly home on September 7, 2026. He was born January 30, 1931 in Skidmore, TX as the youngest child of Frank and Ella (Niemeyer) Winkler. Ellis lived with his family in Skidmore until the end of 5th grade. That summer, his family moved to Pearsall, TX where they stayed for 5 years. Then they moved to San Antonio. Ellis attended Burbank High School for his Junior and Senior years, graduating in 1949. After graduation, he moved to Seguin, TX with his parents and one brother. Ellis enrolled at Texas Lutheran College (TLC) in town that fall, majoring in Accounting.

After attending TLC for three semesters, Ellis enlisted in the Air Force in early January 1951. He was a part of the 729th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron providing Radar Coverage. The Squadron was stationed at Pope AFB, NC; Fort Hood, TX; Cannon AFB, NM; and Robbins AFB, GA during his 4-year enlistment. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in January 1955.

Two weeks later, Ellis enrolled at University of Houston (UH). Soon after, he met fellow UH student, Shirley “Lee” Current, whom he married July 4, 1957 in Houston. Ellis graduated in May 1958 with a BS in Diesel Technology. The couple moved to Wichita, Kansas where he worked for The Boeing Company as a technician in the B-52 program. In 1960, Ellis, Lee and two daughters moved to San Antonio where he worked for Southwest Research Institute as a technician. At the end of 1967, the growing family of five moved to Houston where Ellis began his sales career with Stewart & Stevenson (S&S), the Texas Distributor for Detroit Diesel engines and Allison transmissions.

During Ellis’ first few years at S&S, he sold accessories for diesel engines: mufflers, air cleaners, etc. Then he began selling automatic transmissions for large diesel trucks, school buses and heavy equipment machines. Ellis eventually became Fleet Sales Manager. His fleet customers were the Texas Highway Dept, Texas Dept of Corrections, many Texas school districts, and interstate trucking companies. Ellis retired from S&S in 1996.

The following year, he and Lee moved to Burnet, TX. They bought land and had a house built a few miles from town so Ellis could achieve his dream of raising cattle, at least for a few years. The two quickly became involved in various community organizations. Ellis was proud to become a Texas Master Naturalist, serving with the Highland Lakes Chapter to educate/train the public in managing natural resources. His service included volunteering at the Old Tunnel State Park Bat Cave near Fredericksburg. He was also a founding member of the Native Plant Society of Texas’ Highland Lakes Chapter.

Ellis was a proud Texan. He enjoyed traveling throughout the state to visit historical places and roadside markers. Other pastimes included doing various projects around his ranch, reading newspapers from several Texas cities/towns of which he was a subscriber, and handwriting letters to family and friends.

Ellis was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Lee, his parents Frank and Ella, sister Tressie Lawrence, brother Max Winkler and wife Margaret, brother James (Jimmy) Winkler, grandson Gene Frazier, and great-grandson Damien Percy. He is survived by his daughters Terry Frazier and husband Glenn, Sandra Estes and husband David, and Wanda Eanes; grandchildren Melissa Percy and husband Aaron, Patrick Estes and wife Sarah, Gary Frazier and wife Marie-Pier, Carolyn Carlile and husband Trent, Eric Estes and wife Laura, Michelle Devereaux, Emily Cruz and husband Nestor, and Grant Frazier; great-grandchildren Landon, Kinzley and Penelope Devereaux; Marley and Rachel Carlile; Julie, Olivia and Layla Estes; Eleanor, Gordon and Clara Frazier; Ava and Cody Cruz, sister-in-law Florine Winkler, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial Donations can be made to either Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center, PO Box 248, Burnet, TX 78611 or the local food bank – Lakes Area Care, Inc., PO Box 1115, Burnet, TX 78611