Joe Wingate

Joe Wingate, 78, passed away Monday, February 14, 2005, in Hillsboro. Joe was the son of Raymond and Gay Nell Rose Wingate. Living in Hill County all of his life, he graduated from Whitney High School in 1945 and served as a bus driver for the school while in high school. Five days after graduation, he entered the U. S. Army and served in Germany. On December 20, 1951 he married Charlene Gillaspie. Following his military service, he operated a vending route and helped on the family farm in Whitney until joining Independent Oil in Hillsboro, where he would remain for 37 years, retiring in August 1992. He enjoyed watching sports, traveling in the couple?s travel trailer and fishing, but most of all he loved being a father and grandfather. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Hillsboro and the Downtown Bible Class since the 1950's. Preceding him in death were his parents; four brothers, Randolph Wingate, Olan Wingate, Roland Wingate, and Freddie Wingate; and a granddaughter, Lauren Howell. Survivors include his wife, Charlene Wingate of Hillsboro; three daughters, Charlotte Wingate of Austin, Becky Howell of Canton, and Teresa Kruger of Malone; a brother, Robert Wingate and wife, Katie of Fort Worth; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Jessie Franklin of Peoria; four grandchildren, Phillip Vaughan of Austin, Melody Kruger of Malone, Christopher Howell of Canton, and Megan Howell of West Point, NY; a close family friend, Leo Lerma; and many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the Downtown Bible Class, c/o Bob McGregor, 412 E. Franklin, Hillsboro, TX 76645 or First Baptist Church Christian School, P. O. Box 271, Hillsboro, TX 76645.