Winford Hambright

Winford Hambright, age 92, of Odessa, Texas, passed from this life on November 25, 2020.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home with Scott Sheppard officiating.  Burial will follow at Sunset memorial Gardens.

Winford was born in Norton, Texas to Jesse and Arlene Hambright on July 30, 1928.  He spent all of his school-aged years in Norton and joined the Air Force shortly after graduating from high school.  During his time in the military, Winford served in the Korean War and was awarded the Korean Service Medal and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.   After being honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1952, Winford married Mamie Hambright in the same year.  Winford and Mamie then settled in Odessa, TX and were blessed with one daughter, Janice, in 1953.  Mamie passed away in 1989, and Winford married Jean Thomas in 1992.

Winford started his career in auto parts sales at Barrets.  Winford established himself as a trusted auto parts salesman and everyone knew if they needed a car part, to go to “Hambone”.  After working at Barrets, Winford spent the majority of the balance of his career at Unit Auto Parts and then American Auto Parts.

Winford could be found at every scheduled church service throughout all of his life.  He was a devoted member of Eisenhower Church of Christ for most of his life.  He also attended Tanglewood Church of Christ for many years where he supported the youth ministry and would often shuttle the youth group around for summer and winter retreats.

Winford enjoyed the outdoors and was particularly fond of the lake.  He spent weekends at the lake fishing and spending time with his family during legendary fish fries.  He was affectionately called “Papa” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was there for the entire family if anyone ever needed anything.  His fighting spirit was matched only by his sense of humor, and he maintained both all the way to the end.  Despite struggling in the last years of his life, he loved giving the staff at The Parks a hard time and making them laugh.

Winford is preceded in death by his father and mother, Jesse and Arlene Hambright; two sisters, Nell Davis and Ouida Dickinson; one brother, Kenneth Hambright; and by the two loves of his life, Mamie Hambright and Jean Thomas Hambright.

Winford is survived by his daughters, Janice and husband Chuck Smith, Carolyn and husband Melvin McCallum, Charlotte and husband Joe Wallender, and Christy and husband Todd Nunnally; grandchildren, Jennifer and husband Shane Lester, Brandon and wife Alisha Smith, Joshua and wife Daisy Wallender, Jenna Young, and Thomas Nunnally.  He will be greatly missed by his great-grandchildren, Makenna and Makalyn Connor, Nicholas and Noah Smith, Oliver and Hazel Young, and Ellie and Robin Wallender.

Pallbearers will be Shane Lester, Brandon Smith, Nicholas Smith, and Noah Smith.  Chuck Smith is an honorary pallbearer.

The family wishes to thank the staff at The Parks Senior Living facility for the compassion, care, and support given to Winford and his family.