James L. “Hammer” Winchester

James L. “Hammer” Winchester, age 82, of Council Bluffs passed away April 3, 2018 at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital.

He was born in Council Bluffs on June 11, 1935 to the late James A. Winchester and Berniece Frost. Hammer proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and then retired from the Iowa Army National Guard. He was a lifetime member of American Legion Rainbow Post #2 and is a former Post Commander. He was also a member of VFW Post #737 and Eagles Aerie #104. Hammer’s professional specialty was in typewriter repair and was known to be last one of them in the area. He enjoyed golfing, watching NASCAR, old westerns and reading.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Colby.

Hammer is survived by his wife, Cheryl Winchester; sons, James R. Winchester, Anthony T. Winchester (Mindy), Daniel S. Winchester (Joyce); granddaughter, Ashley A. Winchester-Minard (Kirt Minard); great grandson, Kameron A. Winchester-Minard; brothers, John Winchester (Marcia) and Dennis Winchester; step-sons, Andy Watts (Kerri) and Ben Watts (Britney); step-grandchildren, Matthew, Brady, Ryann, Cecilia, and Sophia Watts; a host of other family and many friends.

Visitation is 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. on Thursday at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Funeral service with Military Honors is 1:00p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Midlands Humane Society.