Mr. Robert Davis Winkler, Sr.

Robert Davis Winkler, Sr., 88, of West Union, passed away on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at his home. Born in West Union on June 5, 1936, to the late Marshal and Ada Waldt Winkler, as the eldest of 7 children. With his parents’ blessing, Robert joined the Army at 18 and traveled the United States and the world. He served in the Korean Conflict, the Berlin Airlift and had two tours in Vietnam. His Army assignments also included stateside stops in Hawaii, Louisiana, Washington, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Robert was also was stationed in Nuremberg and Berlin, Germany. Robert was a proud retired veteran of the United States Army. After serving 22 years in the Army, Robert retired to West Union, South Carolina, where he worked many years for Duke Power where he later retired. Some of his accomplishments with Duke included building the Cherokee Nuclear station in Gaffney and the Bad Creek hydroelectric plant near Salem. Robert met his first wife, Dorothy Locklear at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and together raised 7 children. It was a big family, but with Robert’s Army experience, he was able to keep everyone safe and in line. Robert’s second wife, Polly Smiley, were together for 30 years until her death in 2009. After Polly’s death, Robert returned home to West Union where he restored and lived in his childhood home. Robert enjoyed gardening, something he learned as a child on his family’s farm, and continued it to his last days. Besides out in the field, there was no place Robert would rather be than on a lake in his pontoon boat with a line or two in the water. Robert also enjoyed country, western and bluegrass music. His favorite performer was Rhonda Vincent, the Queen of Bluegrass, and had met her many times including just four days before he departed this life. There’s a special place at the Walhalla Performing Arts Center just for Robert’s “four-wheeler.” Robert is survived by seven children: Valerie Locklear, Andy Winkler, Jimmy Winkler (Christy), Robert Winkler, Jr (Cindy), Henry Wallace Winkler (Gina), Mark Winkler and Ann Winkler Aubert; 23 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren; two brothers: William Winkler (Phyllis) and Dennis Winkler (Joanne), sister: Linda Winkler Fuller Freeman; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by three of his sisters: Patricia Winkler Chastain Pfister, Martha Winkler Cox, and Mary Jane Winkler Hester. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Davenport Funeral Home. A private burial service will be held at Frederick Memorial Gardens in Gaffney. A visitation will be held at 1:00 PM, prior to the service, at Davenport Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Disabled American Veterans at help.dav.org.

Mr. Robert Davis Winkler, Sr.

June 5, 1936 - November 12, 2024