Philip B. Winston, Jr.

Philip Bickerton Winston, Jr loved his wife, his family, Jesus Christ, chocolate, puppy dogs,friends, Blue Bell ice cream, and Texas. He lived a big life full of love and adventures. Hepassed away peacefully at home, with his beloved wife at his side, on Wednesday, October 2,2024. Phil was born in New York City on May 11, 1943, while his mother, Virginia, was visitinghis father, Philip, during his service during WWII. Virginia brought him home to Tennessee asfast as she could.

Phil lived a complicated but beautiful childhood in Tennessee with his mom, dad, and youngerbrother, Julian. He loved telling stories of the “bouse” his dad built in Germantown after the war,his brother Julian threatening to tell schoolmates that he was a New York Yankee so they’d beathim up, taking his horse, Billy, to school, storing his pistol on a shelf at school with all the otherboys’ pistols, and many more surreal stories of a young boy growing up as a cowboy, free andloved.

When he was 13 he suddenly lost his father, which eventually resulted in him gaining a bonusfamily, a stepfather, John McDonough, and a stepbrother, Jay and new twin brothers, Lawrenceand Royall. It also led to the fateful move to Monterrey, Mexico where he saw a beautiful girl atschool and went home to his mother and declared that he had seen the girl he would marry- buthe didn’t know her name. That girl was Susanna Casavantes, and they loved each other fiercelyfrom that time forward. She was 14 years old and he was 16.

While in Mexico, Phil had some fun adventures. He played football while Susanna cheered onthe sidelines, made lifelong friends, and learned Spanish (with a terrible Southern accent). Heand Susanna got engaged while Susanna was still in high school.

During their engagement, one of the most important events happened. While living across thestate, Phil visited Susanna and her sister, Mary Anne, in Houston. Two missionaries from theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints knocked on their door. Their separate, butconcurrent conversions to their new faith were just another testament to their forever bond.He and Susanna went to North Texas State University. They married on February 11, 1966.Their first years together were filled with Navy deployments during the Vietnam War where hereceived honors for outstanding service to his country. Phil was especially proud of his timestationed on the USS Ranger. He didn’t talk about this time very much, but he was very proud ofhis service to his country.

Not long after his service, he took Susanna to the St. George, Utah, temple where they weresealed as a couple for eternity. They spent the next years trying to start a family, which provedto be harder than they expected. In 1975 they were blessed with being able to adopt Virginia(Ginger). In the next several years they had three more children, Elena, Susanna (Susie), andPhilip.

Phil worked for Gilbert X-Ray Company, where he made a successful career that supported hisfamily beautifully, starting as an X-ray machine repairman and building his role up to a topsalesperson and eventually a vice president of the company. He made lifelong friends there,some with whom he started his own company, Medical Digital Imaging, when Gilbert was sold.When he retired, he volunteered at Morgan’s Wonderland serving those with special needs asthe train conductor. He loved that role tremendously.

Phil’s family was everything to him. He went to his grandchildren’s events, built them furniture,sent them care packages, and doted on them with so much love. He and Susanna loved themso much that, when the need arose, they adopted two of them as their own. Phillip (PJ) andMaleah were raised and loved by Phil and Susanna and were considered some of their greatestblessings.

Phil was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints his whole adultlife. He loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and taught his family to love it too. He served as acounselor in the local stake presidency, along with many other callings. His favorite calling mayhave been serving a local service mission with his sweet companion. Phil made sure that thechurches under his care were always in good shape, mowing their lawns and maintaining theirupkeep, usually without anybody knowing that he was doing it. He spent his time serving others.That’s the way Phil did things- he just saw what needed to be done and he did it.

Phil could do anything. Really, he could actually do anything. He built his beloved Susanna’sdream home, restored his vintage MG, fixed anything that needed fixing, built beautifulfurniture, and many other things. If you wanted to find him, you would first look in his garage oron his tractor, and he’d usually be there.

Phil loved everyone. He showed interest in and treated everybody he knew like they wereimportant, so they loved him back. He was a giant among men. He led his family in faith, love,and strength. He is survived by his beloved Susanna; children Ginger Gonzales (Tony),Elena Tillman (Tom), Susie Barlow (Mike), Philip Winston (Liz), Phillip, Maleah; andgrandchildren Isaiah, Ben (Madi), Garrett (Abbey), Scott (Kenna), Jake, Avery, Cameron(Hannah), Brooklyn, and Lauren. He is also survived by his brothers Julian (Karen) and Jay(Pat). He was preceded in death by his parents Virginia and Philip; stepfather John; andtwin brothers Lawrence (Ashley) and Royall. Phil’s legacy is strong with a posterity who loveshim and will miss him tremendously.

The viewing will be on Monday, October 14, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 9:00 am at The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, 25479 Bulverde Road, San Antonio, TX 78261.

A private interment will take place in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the Winston’s would love for you to donate to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Fund.