A pioneer gone - Wynn Silver

[Ace]

WYNN SILVER Obituary


WYNN SILVER, 86 LAKELAND - Wynn Silver (Winnieford), age 86, passed away Saturday January 12, 2013 from pancreatic and liver cancer, at his home in Lakeland with his family by his side. Born March 26, 1926, in Pensacola, NC to John Willard and Epsie Burr (McMahan) Silver. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Wands Gail Silver; 3 brothers: Rex Silver, Vernon Silver, Kenneth Silver; 3 sisters: Virginia Halbert; Rowena Husek; Obera Grimes, and first wife, Ruth M. Silver. Wynn was a man of great wisdom, with many achievements. A longtime resident of Lakeland and businessman for over 60 years, he started his career riding his bicycle as a delivery boy for Western Union. In the early 60's, he seized the opportunity to start his own business and started the original airport restaurant at what is now known as Lakeland Linder Airport. He was one of the four original people who started the Sun `N Fun Fly-in here in Lakeland. His love for vehicles brought him to owning several successful transportation companies - Yellow Cab, now known as Checker Cab Company, Central Florida Transit, and Central Florida Limousine Service. Among Wynn's friends, employees, customers, and suppliers he was viewed as a highly respected businessman. Along with transportation, Wynn was also a General Contractor. His hobbies included flying, traveling and fishing. After retirement, Wynn converted one of his charter buses into his personal motorcoach, which began a long lasting enjoyment of traveling the country with friends. He joined many bus groups, including Eagles International and the Bus Nuts. Wynn is survived by his wife, Katherine Silver; daughters, Myra (Gary) Stephens of Brevard, NC; Linda (Rodger) Stenzel of Forest, VA; Kaye (Thomas) Simpson of Lakeland; son, John Wynn (Lynne) Silver of Lakeland; and step-daughter, Karen Golden; 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren and 3 step-great grandchildren. Viewing will be Tuesday, January 15, 2013 from 5-7pm, funeral service to follow at Lake Gibson Church of the Nazarene at 6868 N. Socrum Loop Rd in Lakeland. Graveside service will be Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at Lakeland Memorial Gardens at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Wynn's honor to Good Shepherd Hospice, Auburndale, FL.

Published in Ledger from January 13 to January 14, 2013



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[Mike in GA]

As a longtime member of the Southeast Bus Nuts and the greater bus conversion community, Wynn Silver was a kind and giving man, much admired.
     Being in the bus sales and service business he was unfailingly generous when asked for help. Many a stranded bus nut benefited from Wyn's inventory of rare bus parts, finding that a call to him usually resulted in next day delivery of a turbo or exhaust manifold.
     He and son John made extra room and special rates available in their service bays for conversion enthusiasts who needed work done economically, and many a bus nut was able to camp out with hookups on his grounds while waiting.
     Wynn was a good man. I had great respect for him, and his loss to the bus nuts community will be felt for a long time. RIP.
Mike in GA

[ruthi]

Condolences to Wynns family. I did not know him, but heard good things about him. Prayers for the family.

[bobofthenorth]

I only met him once but he was obviously a gentleman & excellent businessman.  Thanks for posting Ace.  Clearly a loss to the community.

[blue_goose]

Wynn was one of my best friends.  I will surely miss him, but I will always remember the good times we had together.

Those of you that didn't know Wynn missed knowing a great person.
Jack

[robertglines1]

May his new road be smooth.  Bob & Judy

[B_K]

A good man for sure. I only met him once in person, but he and his son John have helped me and many busnuts many times!

RIP Wynn!

  BK 

[uncle ned]

Another great North Carolina mountain man gone.Will be missed by all that knew him.

Sat with him at several of the Arcadia bus rallys and listened to stories of growing up in
Burnsville NC and the mount mitchell area.

Was  a great pleasure to meet someone that far from home that loved buses and the NC mountains
like i do.

uncle ned

[buswarrior]

Does anyone have a picture to share?

I'm great with faces, not so good at putting the proper name to the proper face.

happy coaching!
buswarrior