Donald J. Wingo

Beloved husband, father, friend, philanthropist, retired investment banker and college linebacker Donald J. Wingo (Joe) originally of Newport News, Virginia, died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by loved ones on September 15, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina, of complications from cancer. 

Growing up, Joe was very gifted at sports and won numerous awards, eventually focusing on football. In 1965 he was personally recruited by then-coach Marv Levy as a linebacker for The College of William and Mary, where the team achieved All-American status during his time there. He was a proud member of Sigma Nu fraternity. Joe continued to have a very successful career in finance and investment banking, including over two decades with Bank of America. He was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal several times as an expert in his field. He retired in 2006. 

Joe was deeply devoted to his wife of over 40 years, Pat Lewis Wingo, with whom he raised two daughters, Elizabeth and Brooke. Joe and Pat have been philanthropists for decades, supporting causes big and small, always giving generously to others. Joe was well known and loved by many for his quick wit, sense of humor, his fun-loving, outgoing personality, and his love of cars and music. He never met a stranger — no one could make a new friend faster or easier. For much of his life he spent a great deal of time lifting weights and bodybuilding, avidly following college and professional football, and enjoying historical books and documentaries, especially related to World War II. His father was a Marine veteran who fought in the Pacific Theatre.

He was preceded in death by his father, J. Alexander Wingo, his mother, Elizabeth Keller Wingo, aunt, Frances Keller Pennington, uncle, Thomas Keller, and aunt, Genevieve Keller. Joe is survived by his wife Pat, daughters Elizabeth Gilchrist and Brooke Wingo, uncle James Keller and aunt Virginia Keller. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Joe’s memory to The College of William & Mary’s football scholarship HEYFARL program at https://give.wm.edu, search for HEYFARL Endowment, select “in memory of” and type in Joe Wingo.