CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA - Otis G. Stiwinter, 86, passed away June 7, 2020 shortly after his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Otis was born in Franklin on Feb. 13, 1934. Following graduation from Franklin High School, he attended Georgia Institute of Technology and later served in the Army as a microwave communications specialist.
Upon leaving the Army, Otis was employed by Burroughs Corporation as a field engineer for mainframe computers. He remained with Burroughs for 31 years, mostly in service management.
After joining Burroughs, Otis married Velma and they had two daughters. While living in the Washington, DC area, Velma was diagnosed with breast/ovarian cancer and passed away in 1973. As a single father, Otis continued to raise his girls. He later married Jean Roland and was transferred to Charleston, West Virginia. After he and Jean were amicably divorced, he met Rosemary Watkins. They married in 1991 and enjoyed many years traveling, camping and backpacking together.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Minnie; first wife, Velma; his sisters, Martha Stiwinter and Opal Hedden; and brother Lloyd Stiwinter.
Otis is survived by wife, Rosemary; daughters, Martha Walker (Owen) and Kathy Mills; and granddaughter Amber Munroe (T.J.) of Kingsport, Tennessee. He is also survived by stepdaughters Kara Shamblin (Mansford) and Beth Reed (Steven); and step-granddaughters Abby (Travis), Delana; and Sarah; great-grandchildren, Waverly and Brodie; and one step-great-grandson, Liam. He is also survived by his faithful companions to the end, Bart Cat and Charlie Cat.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Otis was held June 12, 2020 at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery in Dunbar. Memories of Otis may be shared by visiting snodgrassfuneral.com. Snodgrass Funeral Home is assisting the family.