Otis Wingard Jr

Obituary: Born in Columbia, South Carolina, on March 17, 1946, Otis was the son of the late Otis Wingard, Sr. and Clara Smith Wingard. He transitioned to be with the Lord on Friday, August 19, 2016, at Dorn VA Medical Center. He attended Richland County schools before enlisting in the military. Otis was a Vietnam War and Gulf War veteran, serving twenty-five years total in the U.S. Army and the Air National Guard. Shortly after returning from the Gulf War, Otis and his family joined the New Light Beulah Baptist Church, where he went on to serve faithfully as a trustee, deacon, and member of the mass choir and men's choir. Otis shared his deep love for Christ everywhere he went and ministered through song. He was a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and a member of the Lexington County Veterans Group.He retired from Cooper Power Tools in 2007. Otis had many hobbies, including photography, fishing, and songwriting. He and Barbara were blessed to able to travel after retiring and before his health declined. Otis had a serious side and appreciated a good debate, but he also loved to laugh and joke around. His favorite sports teams were the Pittsburgh Steelers, Duke Blue Devils Men's Basketball, and the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a member of a few quartet groups over the years, and was recently able to fulfill his dream of co-founding The Spiritual Gospel Singers of Columbia with Robert Singleton. Two of his favorite scriptures are Psalm 91 and Psalm 118. His motto was: "I only have one life, so I'm going to live it to the fullest." Surviving are his devoted wife of thirty-one years, Barbara Gilford Wingard, sons: Anthony Wingard and Rodney Wingard and daughters: Bridgett Wingard (Michael Chandler) and Michelle Commander (Gernot Rother). Otis is also survived by his loving sisters: Mary Eison, Elizabeth (Julius) Gilmore, and Rita Morris, one brother: Freddie Wingard, two sisters in-law: Hilda (Tommy) Jackson and Deborah (Henry) Taylor, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, six nieces and nephews, nineteen great nieces and nephews, other loving relatives and friends. Services: Service for Mr. Otis Wingard Jr, will be held 1:00pm Wednesday at the New Light Beulah Baptist Church, burial will be held 11:00 am Thursday at the Ft. Jackson National Cemetery. Mr. Wingard will be placed in the church one hour prior to service for public viewing. Visitation will be held today from 2:00 to 8:00 pm at the JP Holley Funeral Home.