Phillip Hessie Winningham

Phillip Hessie Winningham, 76, of Eutawville, South Carolina, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024.

Born on May 20, 1948, in Vance, South Carolina, he was the eldest son of the late Mary Royal Winningham and Hessie Winningham.

Phillip spent most of his youth in SC and GA before joining the Army. During the Vietnam War, Phillip served with the 281st Assault Helicopter Company as a helicopter mechanic where he also learned to fly helicopters. He loved to fly and turned that passion into an Army career of building and flying radio-controlled (RC) planes for the military. After retiring from the Army, Phillip continued his passion for flying and model airplanes by co-founding the Eutawville Fliers based at Rocks Pond Campground near Eutaw Springs. Phillip was a master instructor and taught hundreds the joy of flying RC airplanes. He also enjoyed wood carving, bee keeping, gardening, and spending time with friends. Phillip was also a fishing enthusiast and “drowned a worm” every chance he got. In addition to flying and fishing, Phillip loved to share stories of his adventures ranging from his mischievous childhood to his travels around the world. Phillip also deeply loved his wife of 56 years, his daughter, and his beloved dog, Yager. Surviving polio, a broken back, partial paralysis three times in his life, and Ankylosing Spondylitis, Phillip always said that he had beaten the odds many times and had lived a “really good life.”

Phillip was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Helen Bradley Winningham; his brother Lawrence Winningham of Savannah, GA; his sister Nell Edwards of Ellabell, GA; and his sister Lee Ennis of Garden City, GA.

Phillip is survived by his daughter, April Winningham of Columbia, SC; sister Cathy Richardson of Vicksburg, MI; sister Lisa Tapp Harris of Guyton, GA; Gilford “Bo” Winningham of Vance, SC; sisters-in-law, Linda Bradley and Judy Brown of Savannah, GA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in Phillip’s name to SC Education Television (SC ETV) at South Carolina ETV (scetv.org).

No funeral or memorial service is scheduled at this time. The family will host a celebration of life at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at avingerfh.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Avinger Funeral Home, 2274 Eutaw Rd, Holly Hill, SC 29059,803)496-3434