Funeral services for Odis R. Windham, 91, of Livingston, Texas will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 4, 2018 in the Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas with Rev. Jason Sandefer officiating. Interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2018 in the Houston National Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 in the Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas.

Odis R. Windham passed away peacefully on December 24 ^th , 2017 at Timberwood Nursing Home in Livingston, Texas. Odis was born on January 2, 1926 in Burkett, Texas.   He was one of eight children born to Charlie Clide and Nena (Flowers) Windham.

He grew up in Coleman Texas and at the age of 17 enlisted in the Army to fight in WWII. After boot camp he was shipped to Ireland to prepare for the Normandy Invasion. He went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war he stayed in Germany with the Military Police. He had the honor of standing guard at the Nuremburg War Trials. He received 2 Purple Hearts and a Bronze star along with numerous other accommodations during his military career.

After the war ended Odis met the love of his life and future wife, Gunda Arlt. They married in Munich on November 20, 1954. In 1959 they welcomed their only child, Cindy. They remained in Germany until 1967 when Odis was reassigned to Ft. Polk, Louisiana. It was there that he retired from the Army in 1968. He then went on to work for the Texas Department of Corrections and ended his working career with River Oaks Property management in Houston.

Odis loved his time in Germany and the ability to travel all over Europe. He and Gunda loved taking cruises. He also loved going to California to visit his daughter and her family. Lake Tahoe and San Francisco were some of his favorite places to visit. Las Vegas was another favorite destination. He was an avid gardener winning several Garden of the Month Club honors. He continued gardening even after moving into assisted living facilities and ultimately a nursing home. When the weather got cold he would spend countless hours doing puzzles. No puzzle was too difficult; even if it was being assembled on top of another puzzle.

Along with his distinguished military career, Odis was a Master Mason and a Shriner. He served as Captain of the El Mina Motor Patrol as well.

Odis was preceded in death by his loving wife, Gunda, his parents and 4 siblings. He is survived by his daughter, Cindy (Windham) Hill and her husband John Hill of Danville, California, grandsons Jeffrey Hill of Danville, California and Scott Hill of Walnut Creek, California, sister Fay Dean of Coleman, Texas, brothers Arthur and wife Carolyn Windham of Coleman, Texas and Odie and wife Carolyn (McSwain) Windham of McKinney, Texas.

Odis was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kindred Hospice or to Paralyzed Veterans.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com