CLEVELAND, April 2 — Former BLE General Chairman Roland Wilson “Windy” Windham, 86, passed away peacefully on April 1.
He dedicated his life to helping others, faithfully serving the Brotherhood as General Chairman of the Missouri Pacific General Committee of Adjustment (Western District) for many years. He also held the office of Local Chairman of Division 182 in North Little Rock, Ark.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth Windham, who served the Grand International Auxiliary for decades, including a term as International President of the GIA from 1996-2001.
He and Ruth were regular attendees at BLET regional meetings over the years, particularly the Southwestern Convention Meeting (SWCM) and the Southeastern Meeting Association (SMA).
Brother Windham was a member of the Brotherhood for 46 years. He joined the Brotherhood on September 1, 1962, and retired on May 18, 1989. He was born November 9, 1922. He also served the union as Chairman of the Western General Chairman’s Association (WGCA) and represented his Division as a delegate to several BLE national conventions.
After graduating from Gurdon High School in 1941, Windy began working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad in North Little Rock as a locomotive fireman. In 1943, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He received his training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where he met his future wife, Ruth Elizabeth Pillman. They were married April 12, 1944, in Camp Plauche, La. He served a total of three years during World War II, much of the time spent in the European Theatre. After his discharge, he returned to work on the MoPac and served as Local Chairman and General Chairman throughout the remainder of his railroad career. He also served as Chairman of MoPac hospitals and Southwest Hospital in St. Louis and Little Rock.
He was an avid Arkansas Razorbacks college sports fan. After his retirement, he and Ruth played golf every Sunday afternoon. He played golf five days a week at the Maumelle Country Club, where he and his friends were often referred to as the “Dew Sweepers.”
In addition to his loving wife Ruth, Brother Windham is survived by: Daughter Sharon Kay Windham Heflin; two grandsons, Jay Michael Heflin and wife Andrea, and Marc Windham Heflin and wife, Billie; four great grandchildren, Grace Elizabeth, Sarah Lynn, Benjamin David and Anna Jayne Heflin; several sisters-in-law; and many loving nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held tomorrow evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth funeral home in Little Rock, Ark. (5800 West 12th Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72204; phone: 501-661-9111).
The funeral service is Saturday morning (April 4) at 11 a.m. at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church (4823 Woodlawn Avenue, Little Rock, Ark., 72205; phone: 501-664-3600). Burial service will following at 1:30 p.m. on April 4 at the Pinecrest Cemetery.
“I am saddened at the passing of Brother Windham and extend my deeply condolences to Ruth Windham and the entire Windham family,” BLET National President Ed Rodzwicz said. “Windy Windham was a dedicated union Brother who devoted his life to the Brotherhood and our membership.”
Memorials can be made to: the Arkansas Hospice, who took such wonderful care of him and his family during his final days, 5600 West 12th St., Little Rock, Ark. 72204; or Alzheimer’s Arkansas, 10411 W. Markham, Suite 130, Little Rock, Ark. 72205-1409; or Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, Roland W. Windham Endowment Fund, 4823 Woodlawn Dr., Little Rock, Ark. 72205; or Easter Seals, 3920 Woodland Heights Rd., Little Rock, Ark. 72212; or another charity of your choice.
Those who knew him are encouraged to sign the online guest registry at the Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home website:
http://www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com