Lt. Colin George Winters, USN, Ret., age 80, of West Richland, passed away February 9, 2007 in Richland, Washington. He was born October 20, 1926 in Longview, Washington to George J. and May C. Constans Winters. He lived in West Richland for 12 years.

Lt. Winters was career Navy. He enlisted out of high school during WWII, initially trained as a diesel engineer and then took training as an electronic engineer, attaining the rank of Chief. He then went through Officer’s Candidate School and graduated as an Ensign. During his time in service, Colin was promoted through the rank to Lieutenant.

Colin retired from the Navy in 1971 after 27 years. He was a veteran of WWII – Pacific Theater, originally aboard the destroyer escort Acree DE-167. In Korea aboard the LST 859 he participated in the Inchon landing, drawing fire while he worked to clear the stuck landing ramp. During the Vietnam War he served as communications officer for the Naval Communications Station in San Miguel, Philippines. His many decorations included two National Defense medals with bronze stars for service in WWII and Cuba, two Navy Unit Commendations for service in Korea and the Philippines, and two Navy Commendation medals for his service in the Philippines and Bainbridge, MD.

After retirement from the Navy, he took on a second career as a Materials Coordinator for Getty Oil Company, retiring after 16 years of service.

Colin was a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Kennewick, Washington; DESA, Destroyer Escort Sailors Association; and AARP.

He was preceded in death by infant daughter Rebecca Winters on January 24, 1968 at Clark AFB, Philippines.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Norma Winters; daughter, Colleen Winters; son, Kevin G. Winters; daughter, Laura Lynn Schroeder; granddaughter, Lia Marie Schroeder; granddaughter, Robin Lu Jie Winters.

A memorial service will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Kennewick at 1:00 PM Saturday, February 17, 2007.

Donations to a veterans’ service organization would be appreciated.