Home » Past Obituaries » Kenneth Wayne (Kenny) Winfree

Kenneth Wayne (Kenny) Winfree

Kenny Winfree of Arlington, Texas passed away October 11, 2021 at the age of 66. Born and raised in Lebanon, Tennessee, he graduated from Lebanon High School in 1972 and began employment at the Lebanon Woolen Mills where his father served 45 years and his mother and two uncles also worked. Kenny was later employed by Triumph Aerostructures-Vought Aircraft Division (formerly Avco). He transferred to Grand Prairie, Texas in 2004 and retired in 2019 after 38 years of service.

Kenny was a member of the UAW Local 848 in Grand Prairie, Texas; International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 735 in Nashville, Tennessee; and the American Federation of Musicians Local 72-147 in Fort Worth, Texas. A singer-songwriter, he wrote and recorded bluegrass-style labor songs. Kenny had two solo albums, Down at the Union Hall and Blue Collar Bluegrass, which were released on Joe Glazer’s Collector label and later re-released by the Smithsonian Institution’s Folkways label. His labor classic “I’m a Union Card” is included on the Classic Labor Songs from Smithsonian Folkways CD.

Kenny was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Winell (Jack) Winfree; grandparents: Robert and Minnie Winfree and Flem and Minnie Bibb; father-in-law, Austin Loftis; and special aunt, Frances Bibb. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Kathy Loftis Winfree; son, Keith Winfree; mother, Marjorie Winfree; sister, Maleah (Greg) Bell; mother-in-law, Idelle Loftis; and brother-in-law, Robert (Angie) Loftis. Kenny is also survived by nephews: Justin (Nicki) Bell and Ryan Loftis; nieces: Erin (Kyle) Comer and Lauren (Tyler) Michaels; great-nephew, J.J. Bell; great-nieces: Kylie and Dani Bell and Kelsie and Katelyn Comer; and several cousins.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 16 at 2:00 p.m. at Wilson County Memorial Gardens with Rev. Greg Bell officiating. Pall bearers: Kyle Comer, Robert Loftis, Ryan Loftis, Tyler Michaels, Eddie Oliver, and Bill Patterson. Honorary pallbearers: Justin Bell, Bill Stacey, Donnie Winfree, Billy Winfree, Mark Winfree, and Brooks Winfree. There will be no visitation at the funeral home prior to the graveside service.

Due to health concerns, the family requests that attendees wear masks and/or social distance.

The family would like to express their thanks to Chase Buie and Shane Curry of the UAW 848 in Dallas for their acts of kindness during Kenny’s illness and passing.

LIGON & BOBO FUNERAL HOME of Lebanon (615) 444-2142   www.ligonbobo.com

Messages for the Family

  1. Ellen Watson James says:
    Kathy and Keith, I am so sorry for your loss. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
  2. ⁴Robin Dean Vantrease says:
    Sorry for your loss Kathy. Me and Kenny were in the same homeroom all 4 years. GOD BLESS YOU AND KEITH. Robin
  3. Leslie Tarantola says:
    I was shocked to learn of Kenny’s death. I knew him from his days at the woolen mill when the union tried to organize it. I was the lawyer assigned to the case from the union. Kenny and I keep up all these many years and I really respected and liked him. I am so very sorry for your loss
  4. Margaret McPeak says:
    I’m sorry I will not be able to attend the service on Saturday. Your family will be in my prayers. Praying for comfort and peace for each of you in the coming days.
    • Susan Gaskill says:
      Kathy it saddens me to here about Kenny. I have very fond memories with your family when I worked for you at Totally Tan. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
  5. Steve Thompson says:
    Kenny was a great friend of my childhood. He was a true family man and down to earth folk singer. My prayers for his family…God Bless.
  6. Erica Reed says:
    I am so sorry for your loss. My husband and I both worked with Kenny for years at Jefferson street and Marshall street. He was a great coworker that became a friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
  7. Andrea Wilke says:
    Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss. I have so many memories of y’all from our tanning days. My heart breaks for you. My prayers are with you, Keith and family. Love
  8. Ronnie Tucker says:
    So sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing. He was a good friend while I was in high school. I had interactions with him on Facebook. My prayers are with you. God bless.
  9. James Jordan says:
    I was so sorry to hear about Kenny’s passing. I have so many great memories of our four years at Lebanon High. Our class of 72 has lost so many of our members far too soon. Kenny was such a very special guy. My prayers are with all of the family.
  10. Wayne Hall says:
    Maleah, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Kenny. We were great friends throughout High School. Lebanon High class of 1972. We played a lot of church softball and Babe Ruth baseball also. Great memories of visiting your parents house also. I will not be able to attend the service on Saturday I will be out of town. Praying for your family.
  11. Betty Overton says:
    May God comfort you & give you strength throughout the coming days. Take comfort in knowing friends are praying for you.
  12. Larry Carden says:
    Sending our heartfelt condolences for the passing of a great friend and union brother Kenny Winfree. May god bless the family in this time of sorrow and bring comfort in the following days.
  13. Wanda Jones says:
    So Sorry for Your Loss! God Bless Kathy and Keith. Kenny was a Wonderful Family Man and he was always writing songs and telling stories. He had a natural talent for that. He will be dearly missed by his family and others.
  14. Phil Huddleston says:
    Kathy & Maleah,

    May God bless and comfort you at this time. I am honored to have been one of Kenny’s teachers at Lebanon High School. I remember his study and knowledge of meteorology and weather forecasting.

    Phil Huddleston

  15. Konni Williams says:
    Kathy & Keith , I cant express how heart broken I am for you both this is just shocking . Prayers and love to you both . ♥️
  16. Karen says:
    Kathy, I’m so sorry. I remember Kenny from high school, as a terrific guy. God keep you through this.
  17. Willis and Peggy Bonner says:
    Kathy and Keith, Willis and Peggy Bonner are so sincerely saddened to hear of Kenny’s passing, he was a good man!
  18. B. J. & Sandy says:
    Dear Kathy,
    We are so very sorry to hear that Kenny has passed. He was always so friendly when we saw him working outside and we’ll really miss him.
    We send our deepest sympathy to you and Keith.
    B.J. & Sandy
  19. Larnie Lasater says:
    Kathy and Maleah May God comfort you and the family during this difficult time.Lot of childhood memories from center street.Always a great family and friends