Mr. Bernd Otto Winkel

January 24, 1943 - December 12, 2020

Graveside services for Mr. Bernd Otto Winkel, 77 of Clayton, Texas will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 17, 2020 at Clayton Cemetery with Mr. Ted Mauritzen officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Bernd Otto Winkel was born January 24, 1943 in Bochum, Germany to the marriage of Otto Rudolph and Hanna Hermes Winkel and passed this life December 12, 2020 at his home in Clayton. Bernd came to the United States with his mother after WWII in 1949. Raised by his mother and Aunt Friedel Heuckendorff, he graduated from Marion High School in Houston and then furthered his education at the University of Houston. Bernd met and married the love of his life, Joe Ann Mauritzen on August 5, 1967 and together they celebrated 53 years of marriage. Mr. Winkel retired from the NASA United Space Alliance after 40 years of service and 129 missions. He was of the Lutheran faith and attended Bethel Baptist Church. Bernd enjoyed antique cars and was a former member of the Galveston and Houston Antique Car Clubs. He loved his Longhorn Cows, dog, and cat, but most of all his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his Aunt Friedel. Mr. Winkel is survived by his loving wife Jo Ann Winkel of Clayton; sons, Joe Winkel and wife Kristen of Galveston, and David Winkel and wife Alma of Houston; grandchildren, Erin Griffin and husband Sean and Hunter Winkel, and Cousin Ralf Theimer and his wife Carolyn of Brenham Tx. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to Clayton Cemetery 2372 FM 1970, Carthage, Texas 75633.