Tehachapi News

A memorial service will be held on monday, May 8, at 7 p.m. at Wood Family Funeral Service for John Wallace “Wally” Winchester, 70, who passed away in Tehachapi on April 30. Wally was born April 9, 1936 in Los Angeles to Allan and Beatrice Winchester. He graduated form Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles. Wally inherited his grandfather’s heating and air conditioning business at the age of 15 and ran the business until 1980. Then Wally went to work for the Los Angeles Unified School District as a maintenance supervisor and retired 20 years later.

Wally loved Tehachapi and the people that he encountered. He helped build the Habitat for Humanity home. Wally would always comment about the personal attention that someone would give him or the warm welcome he would receive. He was a very sweet, warm, loving person.

Wally enjoyed collecting Winchester memorabilia being that he was a descendant of the creator of the Winchester rifle that was made famous in the old west. Wally loved square dancing and round dancing very much. He also enjoyed remodeling homes. Wally loved to talk to people and even though he was in a lot of pain from his illness, he kept his sense of humor. He had many “adopted” kids and grandkids that he was very attached to. His presence will be missed by all that knew him.

Wally is survived by his son, Paul Winchester and wife Teresa of Tehachapi; daughter, Alisa Grumbles and husband Troy of Tehachapi; sisters, Carolee Winchester of New Jersey, Joan Campuzano of Oregon and Mary Turkopp of Mission Viejo; brother, Fred Lagle of San Diego; grandchildren, Kyle and Sarah Winchester; Mitchel and Paige Grumbles; and Cristal, Cassie and Theo Yttesen, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Wood Family Funeral Service handled the cremation arrangements.