Lt. Samuel Keith Winchester honored by hundreds

A funeral ceremony for Lt. Samuel Keith Winchester was held at the Ardis T. Williams Auditorium in Vicksburg on Saturday.

“Sam was an extraordinary man with many skillsets and a beautiful soul.”

Lt. Samuel Keith Winchester, WC-11.

Lt. Samuel Keith Winchester, Sr., called Sam or Keith by his friends and family, lived a genuine life of service. He served God, he served our country, he served our community and perhaps most of all, Mr. Winchester served as an example. An educated and knowledgeable man, Sam was also humble. He was gracious and valued integrity. He was kind and funny, the type of person that inspires and brings out the best in everyone around him.

“There’s a lot of lives that he touched,” Sheriff Martin Pace said. A true statement, evidenced by the packed Auditorium where family, friends and brothers in arms gathered to honor Lt. Sam Winchester and say goodbye.

Photo by David Day

“Thank you for sharing him with us,” Sheriff Pace said to the Winchester family. He spoke of Sam’s wisdom, dedication, compassion and generosity. He listed Sam’s accomplishments and credentials, which are many. He shared a story of a particular family who, over the years, would call into the Sheriff’s Office to check in on ‘Mr. Winchester,’ grateful that he had consistently been there for them in times of need.

“These are things he wasn’t asked to do, he just did,” Sheriff Pace said. “Sam dedicated his entire adult life to serving people and bringing justice.”

“This world is a better place because of Sam Winchester.”

Devoted husband, father, brother, Godfather, provider, protector, and friend – there are many words to describe Sam, but ‘stranger’ isn’t one of them. The Reverand Dr. Tracy Collins shared the story of his first trip with the Alcorn choir and befriending the bus driver, Sam, who would eventually become family when he married Dr. Collins’ cousin years later.

Lt. Winchester passed away unexpectedly, but his legacy lives on.