Eddis James Winstead, 79, of Elk Run Heights, died at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital, on Thursday October 29, 2015.

He was born on March 9, 1936 in Philadelphia, Miss., son of Alford “LaVerne” and Bitha Leora (Mowdy) Winstead.

Eddis graduated from House High School in Union, Miss. in 1954.

He married Roberta Mae Fagerlind, April 7, 1957 at Hagerman Baptist Church in Waterloo.

Eddis worked at Rath Packing Co. from 1955-1965, served as Chief of Police in Elk Run Heights from 1959-1976, worked at John Deere from 1966-1987 and retired as a production supervisor in 1987.

He was an over-the-road owner/operator for three years, was a grounds keeper for the Waterloo Softball Association for 16 years, and has worked for Iowa Northern Regional Transit as a bus driver since 2007.

Eddis was active in city government in Elk Run Heights and served as city councilman for 10 years, was a building inspector since 1991, and was an active member and deacon at Grace Baptist Church in Waterloo.

He is survived by: wife Roberta Winstead of Elk Run Heights; three sons: Kevin (Lynette) Winstead of Elk Run Heights, Rob (Deb) Winstead of Waterloo, and Todd (Chris) Winstead of Elk Run Heights; two daughters: Shawn (Mike) Trentz of Anamosa and Erin (Darrin) Bentz of Evansdale; eight grandchildren: Nicole (Mike), Matthew (Alyssa), Branden, Joel (Liz), Nathan, Garret, Ethan, and Saydee; two great-granddaughters: Aspen and Tayler; brother Hayward (Wanda) Winstead of Trussville, Ala.; sister Elizabeth Wilson of Newport, Ala.; sister-in-law, Carolyn Winstead of Philadelphia, Miss.; and many nieces and nephews.

Eddis was preceded in death by: his parents; brother, Paul Winstead; brother-in-law, Nolan Wilson; and nephew, James Winstead.