Winfred Premo Fernandez

Winfred Premo Fernandez, father of six and Veteran of World War II, died on March 5, 2016, at the William F. Green State Veteran’s Home in Bay Minette, Alabama after a brave struggle with Alzheimer’s. He was 89.

Mr. Fernandez was born in Carson, Mississippi on January 25, 1927 to Fermin Fernandez, an immigrant from Asturias, Spain; and Ella Fernandez (nee Evans), a native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Mr. Fernandez served honorably in the United States Navy until his discharge in May of 1946. After his discharge, Mr. Fernandez began what would become a lifelong passion of learning by pursuing a degree in business. Through his pursuits, he became a successful entrepreneur, owning and operating several businesses. He later returned to formal studies and earned his certification as an electrician and worked in the ship-building industry until his retirement.

Mr. Fernandez married Bessie L. Tillman on September 5, 1947 and together the couple had six children: John Wayne Fernandez, Winfred Premo Fernandez, Jr., Victor Kent Fernandez, Beth Winifred Fernandez Wright, Pamela Dee Fernandez, and Joseph Frank Fernandez. The family made their home in Grand Bay, Alabama. After 35 years, the marriage ended in divorce.

Mr. Fernandez had an infectious curiosity, a generous spirit, and an abiding faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Mr. Fernandez was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jim Fernandez and Kenneth Alfonso Fernandez; sister, Francesca Boyd (nee Fernandez), and three children; Pamela Dee Fernandez, Victor Kent Fernandez, and John Wayne Fernandez.

Mr. Fernandez leaves behind, three children: Winfred Premo Fernandez, Jr., of Honolulu, Hawaii; Beth Winifred Fernandez Wright, of Linden, Alabama; and Joseph Frank Fernandez of Saraland, Alabama; three grandchildren: Thomas Garrett Wright, Esq. of New York, New York; Kent Fernandez, of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Brittney Nelson (nee Wright), of Saraland, Alabama; and three great-grandchildren: Kyler Fernandez, Renan Fernandez and Ethan Luke Nelson.

Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Radney Funeral Home in Saraland on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at 12 p.m. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the service hour. Interment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-saraland.com. Arrangements by Radney Funeral Home, 1200 Industrial Parkway, Saraland, Alabama 36571.