Elbert Wayne Winton was born to Elbert and Susie McBride Winton on Aug. 6, 1936, in Muse, Okla.
He died on June 2, 2025, at his home in Dierks, Ark., at the age of 88 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, sisters, Helen Davis, June Johnson, and Alma Faye Winton, and one nephew, Tony Johnson.
He is survived by: his wife, Sammye, to whom he would have been married 66 years on June 5; one son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Malinda Winton; two grandchildren, Zack (Leslie) Winton, Hannah (Chase) Peek; five great-grandchildren, Adyson and Mylie Winton and Emmit, Fletcher and Lexi Peek.
Wayne’s family moved from town-to-town with Dierks Forests, Inc. When he was growing up, he ended up in Dierks when he was in the seventh grade, where he graduated in 1954. After graduation, he and his buddy went to California to make their fortunes. When that didn’t happen, he returned home and volunteered for the draft with another buddy on the buddy system. Never saw the buddy again until they both got home.
He returned from military service in 1958 and went to work for Dierks Forests driving a log truck. He had another buddy who didn’t have a car and was dating a girl in Lockesburg, so he fixed Wayne up with a blind date with Sammye Dowdle. First date was October 1958, married June 5, 1959. They always laughed and said how glad they were that Donnie Griffin didn’t have a car.
Wayne continued working in the logwoods until the Briar Plant was built. He went to work there in 1962 and retired in 1994.
Wayne was an active member of Dierks United Methodist Church and was able to attend until about six weeks before his death.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, June 5th, at the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel in Dierks.
Funeral Services for Mr. Winton will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 6, 2025, at Dierks United Methodist Church in Dierks with Bro. Carroll Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in the Muse Cemetery in Muse, Okla., under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
The family would like to thank Dierksen Hospice for their loving care.
You may leave a condolence online at www.wilkersonfuneralhomes.com
