Wilford "Ford" E. Winner, 79, of Palm Bay, Florida passed away April 27, 2016. Formerly of Warren, PA and Jamestown, NY, he retired to Palm Bay, FL in 1994. Ford was preceded in death by his mother, Gwendolyn and his father, Wilford Sr. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jane, sister Sandra Nufher (Tom) of PA, step-children Michael Davis of Palm Bay, FL; Steven Davis of Jamestown, NY; Vickie Carlson (Doug) of Poolesville, MD; Brenda (Holtz) Phaler (Bill) of Woodbridge, VA, grandchildren; Jason Carlson (Kristina) of Walkersville, MD, and Willie Phaler, great grandchildren Tyler, Owen, and Ava Carlson, and his trusted companion Sonny the poodle.
He was a graduate of Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA , where he studied jazz. He was a well-known jazz musician playing tenor sax and clarinet in the Jamestown and Olean, NY area.
He was invited by big band leader, Tommy Dorsey, to join them to play in Japan, but he declined as he had just gotten married to Jane.
Memorial donations may be made to the William Childs Hospice House of Palm Bay, FL, or to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. Services are private.