Leonard Winans

His parents traveled around Oklahoma and Texas picking cotton and doing odd jobs. When he was a teenager he went to California with some friends where they worked picking fruit, threshing peanuts, and whatever work they could get. He returned to Oklahoma and met the love of his life, Lois, at a carnival in Bokchito, OK. He and Lois began dating and he went into the Civilian Conservator Corp (CCC) for 6 months. When he returned, he and Lois were married on July 18, 1942 in Bennington, OK. Soon after their marriage, Leonard was drafted in the Army during World War II and became one of the “Greatest Generation”. His son, Lenny, was born while he was overseas in the Pacific and the Philippines. When he returned from the war, they moved with 18 month old Lenny to San Angelo, TX where Leonard had family. He went to work in a small grocery store where he delivered groceries. In 1947 their second son Jim was born. In 1954, Leonard, Lois, and the two boys moved to Oklahoma City where he had a job waiting for him at Safeway. Upon moving to Oklahoma City, Leonard and Lois began attending Southeast United Pentecostal Church and remained members there until their passing. In 1956 their daughter Diana was born, Leonard worked for several Safeway stores in Oklahoma City as a meat cutter, retiring in 1986. During his retirement years, he and Lois enjoyed camping and traveling.

Leonard was preceded in death by his wife of 76 years, Lois Winans; his parents, Bill and Nellie Winans; son, Lenny Winans, an infant sister, brother and sister-in law, Billy and Lillie Mae Winans; son-in law, Terry Ward.

He is survived by his son Jim Winans and wife Sandy, daughter, Diana Ward; 4 grandchildren Kelli, Ashli, Craig and wife Pratibha, Natalie and husband Doug; 4 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Leonard will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched.

Visitation for Leonard will be held at Advantage Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 4-7 pm, located at 7720 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73159. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Southern Oaks United Pentecostal Church located at 6501 S. Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, with interment to immediately follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens, Oklahoma City, OK.