Windel Renford Hutcheson, age 84, of the Sardis Community, passed away on Monday, December 8, 2025, at his residence.
Windel was born on July 12th 1941 in Franklin County to James Andrew “Jimmie” Hutcheson and Lola Agnes Hightower Hutcheson. The family moved to the Upshaw Community in Winston County shortly after his birth.
As a child, he learned the value of hard work working in the fields with his older sisters, LG and Delila, but also enjoyed playing with his younger sister, Nelda, and brother, Phillip, during his free time.
Windel was a 1960 graduate of Addison High School where he enjoyed playing sports and made many friends.
Windel moved to South Florida in the mid 1960’s where he began a long career with the city of Hollywood. While in Florida, Windel honored his parents with a new house built for them, where they were able to live the rest of their days.
Windel was drafted in the US Army in 1967 and was known affectionately as “Pappy” by his platoon mates due to being the “old man” of 26 when he arrived in Viet Nam. He served honorably with distinction in Viet Nam, earing two Bronze Stars. Upon completion of his tour in Viet Nam, he returned to Florida and resumed his career with the City of Hollywood, from where he would eventually retire.
Windel married his wife Dianne on May 26, 1978. Throughout their marriage of 38 years, Windel and Dianne had many adventures, traveling to Europe, the Holy Land, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and the Panama Canal, but their favorite travel destination was to Alaska where they cruised over 15 times.
Windel was preceded in death by his wife Dianne Sue Chandler Hutcheson; parents, Jimmie and Lola Hutcheson; sisters, LG Everett (JP), and Delila Aday (Roland); brother, Phillip Hutcheson; and brother-in-law, Jimmy Cole.
He is survived by his sister, Nelda Cole; sister-in-law, Barbara Hutcheson; nieces, Tricia Dale Tinker (John), Gail Everett, Denise Sibley (Chris), and Michelle Cole; and nephews, Jamie Hutcheson (Laura), Jason Hutcheson (Kim), and Joseph Aday; eight great nieces and nephews; eight great-great nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Sardis #2 Baptist Church on Sunday from 2pm until the service time. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 3pm at Sardis #2 Baptist Church, Addison, with Rev. Donnie Carroll and his nephew, Jamie Hutcheson, officiating. Interment will follow in the Upshaw Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery in Addison, with the Rome American Legion Honor Guard presenting military honors.