William David Winstead

May 27, 1954 - September 21, 2009

05/27/1954 - 09/21/2009

Past Services

Service
Thursday September 24, 2009
2:00 pm

Additional Information:

Rev. Jerry Jolley and Rev. Marc Sanders will be officiating the service. The family will receive friends following the service.

Mr. William David Winstead, age 55 died at the Guardian Care Nursing Home in Scotland Neck on Monday, September 21, 2009. David grew up and lived most of his life in Enfield. He had a tremendous love for music and was an extremely gifted musician. He attended and received a certificate of performance from the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem; he obtained both his undergraduate degree as well as his Master’s Degree in Music from East Carolina University in Greenville. David served as organist for several churches in and around the area.

Preceding him in death are his mother and father, Billie Peele Hardison Winstead and Jerry L. Winstead as well as his baby brother Jay Winstead.

Survivors include his Aunts; Betsy Armstrong and her husband Harvey of Enfield and Eloise Copeland all of Enfield, Frances Smith and Inez Allsbrook both of Rocky Mount. David is also survived by several cousins.

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Connie Cooper
14 years ago

Today I have been thinking of David all day. Listening to lots of different music and practically hearing him either play it or comment on it. David introduced me to so many things….music, art, antiques, travel….

Sometimes David would ask me to turn pages for him at his church. I was always a nervous wreck because I have no aptitude for musical instruments. David was always calm and smiling and gentle even when he had to prompt me to turn if I was too slow. We tried to go to Philadelphia as often as we could between Thanksgiving and Christmas to see the organist play at Wannamaker’s Department Store. I always thought David played better, but go figure! But perhaps my favorite musical memories of David were when we would make the annual trip to Duke Chapel on Bach’s birthday, March 31st. David was ALL about Bach and certainly did the composer justice when he played his pieces. David would put on his best suit and I would put on some wonderful vintage piece that had belonged to his mother or some wonderful dress she would have given me for Christmas and we would borrow her Cadillac and head for Duke. Each year on the 31st they would allow anyone to play the organ and people could come and go for a free concert. It was amazing. When it would be time for David to play, I would watch him handsomely walk back and up the stairs and I would wait. And then he played the first notes. And people went silent where before they had chatted while others played. They would look amazed and I would beam and when I heard someone ask who was playing, once he was done, I would beam and say “That’s MY boyfriend, David Winstead”. I will never forget those times and will never forget the impact David’s playing had on people….To take them someplace magical and mystical and happy and beautiful. I have thought of him every March 31st since and hoped he was playing a keyboard somewhere. From now on I will play Bach in his honor on the 31st and thank him and God for his gift to me.

Z. Parks
14 years ago

I met David Winstead through my sister, Connie, in the late eighties, or so. He was very handsome, well-versed, and had this cool ability to play any song on demand, on any piano or organ, that you requested. He was also a great cook! He enjoyed old cars and old houses. He knew how to take a photo in a unique way. He was just a great artist, all around. We are grateful to have known him for his perspective on people, music, life, and his friendship.

Wayne Clay
14 years ago

David and I became neighborhood and school friends back in 1959. But it wasnt till the “British Invasion” in 1962 or 63 when the Beatles an Rolling Stones hit the charts that we got to be so close. All young kids wanted to play rock an roll……And that we did. We were 12 yrs old and practiced every Saturday in the Sun Room at Davids house. We had many drummers,vocalists,guitarists in the early days.

We played sock hops at Enfield Graded School,The Southerland Resturand,Park Festivals in Halifax,Birthday parties…..But as the band got better the Ambitions became the name there probabally wasnt a teenager in a 4 county area the hadnt heard us play.

David made the band….It was he who would learn every members part on his keyboard,then at practice he would teach them to us…He choragraphed the whole show..David was a fine Vocalist and not a better keyboard player around.

Davids music brought happiness to many people, both young and old, whether in the church or in a rock n roll setting,,he was the best…There will never be another like him…God rest his soul……I will miss him.

Wayne Clay

Anne Cutler Matney
12 years ago

I just found out about David’s death almost two years ago. He had been on my mind in the last few months and I had been attempting to locate him. When he first started working at First Baptist in Scotland Neck, we became fast friends. He would pick me up at my home to help him tune the organ at the church. Later, as a high schooler, I took piano lessons from him at ECU, while he was working on his masters. We lost touch after that. I miss you David and am so thankful that I got to experience music with you and by you.

David Norris
14 years ago

I remember David, his cheerful friendship and love of music, from my old days in Greenville. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.

Flora Beth Hardy Butts
14 years ago

I will always remember David at First Baptist Church in Scotland Neck. I was in the youth choir and he went on tours with us and he will always be special to me.

Jeanne Wagner McGlohon
14 years ago

I am very sorry and am thinking of all of you.

Mike Craig
14 years ago

Eloise, Betsy, Sarah and family:

I was saddened to hear of David’s death on Monday. He certainly suffers no more.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you now and as you come together tomorrow for his graveside service.

Connie Cooper
14 years ago

My sincerest condolences to David’s family at this time. Monday was a sad day. But I know how happy David would be, and I want his family to know, that so many people are coming together with love and laughter in his memory. I feel lucky to have known him well during our relationship in the 80’s. Although we seperated, we kept in touch via the phone all these years and he still had a way of making me shake my head and laugh every time. I feel a great loss today. God bless his family and his spirit. Om Namah Sivaya, David.

Scotty and Zana Parks
14 years ago

In our brief visits, we enjoyed listening to the practice sessions with his band as well as his ‘impromptu’ piano recitals on a lazy weekend, while he had some wonderful foods cooking in his kitchen. Thanks David.