Winfred F. 'Win' Conway, 91

Winfred F. "Win" Conway, 91, "went home to be with the Lord" on Friday, Dec. 8, 2006 at Brendan House in Kalispell.

He was born in Plainview, Texas, to Fred A. and Clara (May) Conway on Jan. 18, 1915.

Win was a man of solid values. He was loved instantly and deeply by all who crossed his path. His warm smile and quick wit will be fondly remembered, and deeply missed.

Win moved with his family to Arizona, where he received his early education. In the 1930s, he was a farm worker and also made a living playing Donkey Baseball. He married Ruth Evelyn Yount on July 9, 1933, in Florence, Ariz. Win worked with the U.S. Forest Service fighting fires and served in the Arizona National Guard. His career was spent as an operating engineer with the Crystal Ice Company, where he worked for 40 years until retiring in 1980.

In 1983, Win and Ruth moved to Whitefish. During his retirement, Win continued to enjoy camping, woodworking, fishing, gardening and playing games. He and Ruth also enjoyed traveling in their motor home, exploring the country and spending lots of quality time with family and friends.

Win was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, in 1995; his parents; a brother: Guy Conway; and his sister, Nadene Duffel.

He is survived by a son, Fred Conway, and wife, Anne, of Mesa, Ariz., and their family, which consists of three daughters: Amy Otto and husband, Mark, Kaci McCracken and husband, Steve, and Melissa Ausmus and husband, Charles; a son, Ian Conway; and seven grandchildren, Tyler Otto, Teri Otto, Walker Otto, Patrick Conway, Alex Ausmus, Gage McCracken and Zane McCracken.

Also surviving is his daughter Donna McGough and husband, Sam, of Whitefish, and their family, which consists of daughters: Wendy Guy and husband, Jeff, Stacey Lamoureux and husband, Bill, and Samantha McGough; and grandchildren Cody and Hayley Guy, and Andrea and Hunter Lamoureux.

Other survivors are his daughter Karen Swisher, and husband, Ron, of LaJolla, Calif., and their family, which consists of three daughters: Jennifer Ricketts, Celeste Duffy and Amberly Boyle; a son, Kelly Boyle; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services for Win will be held at 11 a.m. today at Easthaven Baptist Church, with Pastor Daniel Lambert officiating. Visitation will be at the church for one hour before the services. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec.12, at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Win's family.