John Winniford

John Winniford, born to Joyce and Andrew Winniford on October 11, 1947, died October 30, 2024. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 8, 2024 at Bonners Ferry Funeral Home, 6485 Harrison Street, Bonners Ferry. Private interment will be at Grandview Cemetery.

He was the fourth of six children, alongside Tom, Dan, Lynda, Phillip and David. He grew up in Vallejo, California, before moving to Bonny Doon in the Santa Cruz Mountains in the early 1960s, where he cherished life in the country with his family.

John graduated from high school in 1964 and returned to Vallejo, where he began working as a helper at Mare Island before starting a sheet metal apprenticeship, where he retired as a Nuclear Mechanical Systems Inspector. It was in October 1966 that he met Christine and they married on February 8, 1967. Together, they raised four wonderful children: Stephanie, John, Steven and Rebecca.

An avid outdoorsman, John loved surfing, skiing at Schweitzer Mountain, sailing at Lake Ponderay, hunting, horseback riding and fishing. He raised two horses and earned both his solo pilot’s and scuba diving licenses. John enjoyed gathering wood and hunting with his friend Buddy, and later with his son Steve. He was known for his vibrant personality, sharing entertaining stories and quips that brought joy to his family.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, John took great pride in his four children, 15 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren with two more on the way. In 1995, he and Christine purchased a home in Naples, making it their permanent residence in 2003. John ensured everything ran smoothly in their lives and was deeply committed to his family, especially as some of his children and grandchildren moved to Idaho to be closer to him.

John will be remembered for his kindness, unwavering support for friends and family, and his Godly nature. His legacy of love and adventure will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce, his father Andrew and brothers Tom, David, and Dan. He is survived by his wife Christine, his eldest daughter Stephanie (Ray), his eldest son John, son Steven (Jani); and his youngest daughter, Rebecca (John).