Wiley Clifton Windham

W. C. “Cliff” Windham, 91, passed away at home on February 24, 2014. He was born August 17, 1922 in Yazoo County, MS and moved to Laurel after completing high school. At the outbreak of World War II, Cliff joined the Army Air Corps and served with the 389th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force. Assigned as a flight engineer (waist gunner) on B-24 bombers, Cliff participated in attacks in the earliest days of the air war over Europe. Of the airmen that flew the original twenty-five mission bomber tour in 1942-1943, Cliff was part of the 35 percent that survived and returned home. After the war, he trained as a diesel mechanic in Memphis, TN and Flint, MI, taking a job with Halliburton Oil Services. He worked with Halliburton for many years in New Mexico and west Texas before transferring home to Laurel. Taking early retirement, he began raising beef cattle in the Moss community. Cliff worked hard all his life and never took up any hobbies to enjoy. He was a member of West Laurel United Methodist Church for many years and later worshipped with the Moss Church of God. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Annie Windham; his sisters, Ruth Lee, Earlene Laurendine, Lucile Coley Hill, and Mary Middleton; and his brothers, Harvey Windham and Otis Windham. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jacquelyn Cook Windham and daughter, C. Joyce Windham, both of Moss; daughter and son-in-law, Dorothy and Larry Page of Plano, TX; and son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Carolyn Windham of Hernando, MS. Cliff had one granddaughter, Laura Page of Houston, TX. Cliff also is survived by step grandson, Wayne Williams; step-granddaughter, Angie Campbell; a step great grandson; and two step great granddaughters, all from the Batesville, MS area. The family would like to express special appreciation to Gloria Reed and Bettye Porter for their care in the last few months. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 28 at Memory Chapel. Visitation will be held from 5 until 8 p.m. Thursday, February 27, 2014, at Memory Chapel which is in charge of the arrangements. To view and sign the family guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Wiley Clifton Windham

August 17, 1922 - February 24, 2014