Ansel M. Winham, Sr. 95 of Ruston, Louisiana was born June 29, 1928, in Elm Grove, Louisiana in Bossier Parish and very peacefully passed away February 21, 2024 in Ruston, Louisiana.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M.  Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel in Ruston, Louisiana with Dr. Chris Craig officiating the service.  The visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. until service time.  Interment will follow in Longstraw Cemetery, 1799 Styles Ranch Road, Choudrant, LA 71227, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston, LA.

In 1946, Ansel graduated Minden High School and joined the United States Army-Air Force. After basic training, Ansel was assigned to Fairbanks, Alaska as a Control Tower Operator at the close of World War II. After his honorable discharge from the military, he flew airplanes for several companies as an Alaska Bush Pilot and Airline pilot. During this time Ansel was involved in an aircraft accident which forced him to return to Minden, Louisiana.

It was during this time that he met and married Mary Glynn Pipes on July 7, 1953. Ansel was hired by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and would stay with them until retiring after 36 years of service, working and promoting in numerous different areas and positions.

His last assignment was the FAA General Aviation District Office manager for the Shreveport Downtown airport before the office was closed and moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After retiring and flying professionally, Ansel decided to go to college.

In 1989, at the age of 60, Ansel graduated Magna Cum Laude from Louisiana Tech University in Professional Aviation. He was well-known for being a kind, easy-going, honest gentleman, who was a wonderful engaged husband and dad. Ansel loved the Lord and the close fellowship of people. He was a faithful member and Deacon who served for many years at First Baptist Church Ruston. Ansel was preceded in death by his parents, George Fredrick Winham and Mabel Hendrick; sisters, Evelyn Carter and Georgene Rhame; brother, Jimmy Winham.

Ansel is survived by his wife, Mary Winham; son: Marvin Winham (Kayla); grandsons, Stephen (fiancée – Ally); Philip; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

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