In Loving memory of Wendell E. Bingham Jr. age 59, of Chico, CA, he passed away in his home on Nov. 12 2012. Wendell, who was best known as "Winter" to his family & friends, was born in San Francisco, CA on May 30, 1953. He was the eldest of four sons born to Wendell E. Bingham Sr. and Nedra A. Bingham (Paulson). Winter was a "Mountain Man" at heart and always felt at home in the woods, especially Yosemite where he worked for years. He also was an amazing musician always able to see the rhythm in anything especially nature. His life long affair with music begun in the 3rd grade when he picked up the saxophone, and by high school had mastered the sax, guitar, flute and piano. Winter was even offered a scholarship to Julliard. Throughout his life he became very close to becoming a "superstar" in music but always choose his family over his career. Winter also worked in Yosemite National Park for a good portion of his life, and became Ansel Adam's personal Gardener. Winter always felt his best in Nature and loved to play while sitting on top of a mountain or beside a waterfall. Not only did Winter master music he became an avid climber and backpacker of the sierras and hiked a good portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. As one of the best fishermen around, he was once witnessed to even pull a trout out of a small mountain stream with nothing but his bare hands. Wendell Jr. is survived by his three sons, Joshua Sean Bingham of Stockton, CA, Forest Bodie (Nicole) Bingham and Tuolumne Brooks Bingham, both of Chico; grandsons, Angelo and Julian Bingham of Stockton and Bodie Noah Bingham of Chico; his mother, Nedra Bingham of Stockton; his brothers, Bruce Bingham of Evergreen, CO, Mark Bingham of Sherwood, OR, Randy Bingham of Lodi, CA Michael Bingham of Guerneville, CA; and sister, Terry Bingham of Sacramento, CA. Winter was an excellent father, grandfather, brother, son, teacher, listener and friend to many but especially his children for whom he would have done anything. Winter will be best remembered as the most gentle loving but yet wild "Mountain Man" who touched many lives. We will always have your music, poems, pictures and videos to cherish and share the love of the last “Grizzly Bear of Yosemite". You will be dearly missed. We know the angels must be loving your songs and stories of good times! We will see you on the other side. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Wendell Earl Bingham Jr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.