Felix Bickerton Winston

Felix B. Winston, 93, passed away quietly on August 4, 2024, at home in Independence, MO; cared for by his family. He was born October 10, 1930 in Sydney Australia, the second child, to his Australian mother, Alecia Hunt Winston and American father, Charles K. Winston. When he was 5, his parents brought him and his two siblings to the US, ultimately settling in St. Joseph, MO, where a younger brother was born and where Felix stayed until going to college.

Felix graduated from Christian Brothers High School in St. Joe, class of 1948, and St Louis University in St. Louis before joining the Army in 1952, where he served primarily in Japan. Upon his return to the US, he pursued a degree in Law at the University of Missouri, graduating in the class of 1956.

In 1961 Felix married Lynne Steinhoff, with whom he had 7 children. The family ultimately lived in the Kansas City Roanoke neighborhood where they made fond memories; and attended Redemptorist Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Kansas City. Among his children was a physician, and an aerospace engineer; however, all seven of his children have special talents and pursued paths that allow them to serve others. He loved his children above all else.

During his 50 plus years’ career as a Kansas City attorney he served clients in the Hyatt Regency Walkway collapse, as well as many other situations. He loved helping people, especially those less fortunate.

Felix was a man of taste and loved an adventure. He said he even enjoyed his time in the Army and had many stories to tell. He travelled, both in the US and throughout Europe. He loved to take his children on adventurous vacations. He was an avid reader of nonfiction, especially medieval history. In college he played baseball. He sailed, played tennis and golf, was an avid skier, worked out regularly and vigorously, and even tried pickle ball late in life.

In 2000, while living downtown Kansas City, he married Ellen Gilbreth and started a new life in Independence, MO adding her children and friends to his life circle. He reawakened his love of bridge and even deigned to play bunko.

Felix was predeceased by his parents; his older brother Charles and wife, Linda; a nephew; and the mother of his children, Lynne. He is survived by his wife, Ellen; his sister, Florence [Terry] Winston, Kansas City; brother Joseph Winston (Sandy), Edmonton, WA; his children and their spouses: Eleanor [Suzy] Pearson-Winston (Vic), Ann Boes (Greg), Carolyn Knapp (Alan), Robin Warren (Dion), Deborah Savage (Edd), Hunt Winston (Angela), Catherine Sakowicz (Tony); as well as Ellen’s children: Russell (Becky) and Jon (Rebecca) Gilbreth and Rae Swafford (Jim); 29 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren; as well as many nephews, nieces and friends.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2024, 9:30 am at
Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Redemptorist) Church
3333 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City MO 64111
(816) 561-3771 Inurnment will be at 1:00 pm at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Higginsville, MO with military honors. A 2nd Memorial Service is scheduled for Sunday, September 22, 2024 2pm. at the Church of Jesus Christ, Waldo Restoration Branch 819 West Waldo Ave., Independence, MO 64050 No flowers are requested. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society, Redemptorist Parish, or an animal shelter of your choice. Sincere thank you to Shalom Hospice for their extraordinary care in the last several weeks of his life.