James Rufus Winham

James Rufus Winham, 82, of Burkburnett passed away Sunday, February 23, 2025, just getting ready to the meet the Saints.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, February 27, 2025 at Jan Lee Baptist Church with Rev. Mark Simons, officiating.  Arrangements are under the direction of Owens and Brumley Funeral Home of Burkburnett.

James Rufus was born to Henderson and Lula Mae Kelly Winham on August 21, 1942.  He graduated from Plain Dealing High School in 1960.  He was employed by Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company from June 1960 to February 1963.  He joined the United States Air Force in February 1963 and was stationed in many countries and states.  He retired from the US Air Force at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas in January 1990 as a Senior Master Sergeant.  He was employed by Prudential Insurance Company from June 1990 until December 1998.  In January 1999, he was employed by the Texas Veterans Commission until December 2002.  

On June 6, 1973, Rufus married the love of his life, Brenda Gail Pillars.  She had a son Richard Allen Pillars, aged 8, and a daughter, Shelly Denise Pillars aged 3.  Brenda and he had another child born September 10, 1975, James Rufus Winham II.  All three of the children are very smart.  He later married his longtime friend Cynthia McGill.  He added three additional step children, John and his wife Crystal, Dustin and his wife Kristina, and Deanna and her husband Jason McCray.  

He was Past Master of Szechwan Lodge #4, Free and Accepted Masons, Taiwan, Republic of China, 1971-1972, and remained a member until his death.  James Rufus graduated from Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas in May of 1999 and graduated Magna Cum Laude.  He was a member of Jan Lee Baptist Church, Burkburnett, Texas since January 16, 2000.  James Rufus also held memberships in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Burkburnett Texas, and the Texas Association of Vietnam Veterans, Wichita Falls TX.  He was also honored in March 2010 when he was recognized for his humanitarian services to his community and was indoctrinated into the Chapel of Four Chaplains and Legion of Honor Award.  

James Rufus was preceded in death by his parents, Henderson and Lula Mae Winham; his stepmother, Freda Winham; his wife, Brenda Pillars Winham; his son, James Rufus Winham II; his brother George and Patricia Winham; his brother Charles Henderson Winham Sr.; nephew Thomas Winham; and his favorite aunt, Bessie Faye Kelly Harrison.  

He is survived by his brother, Stephen Winham and wife Bettye and their daughter Mia; and Mia’s son, Ethan Campbell; stepchildren, Richard Pillars and Shelly Pillars; nephew, Adrian Winham and wife Toni and their son Andrew and his wife Amber; nephew, George Kevin Winham and wife Earlene and their (step)son Zachary Jarrell; niece, Karla Haas and her husband Jeremy and their sons, Daniel Salazar and Kody Robinson; sister-in-law, Julia Winham; nephew, Charles Winham and wife Christine and their sons, Patrick and Duke; nieces, Roxanne Winham and her son, Eric and daughter, Brett; Cameille Vliestra and her husband Eric and their son Conner and daughter Julia Dean and Julia’s daughter Kathryn (Ryn); niece, Michiko Simone; and cousin, Caroline Kelly Tait and her daughter Jennifer and husband Colonel Kevin Kippie.  

He did some things good and some things bad.  Now it is finished.                          

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.owensandbrumley.com