WINDSOR – A long-time public servant passed from this life Wednesday.

O. Wint Hale, who served for nearly four decades as a Windsor Town Commissioner, died in his home on Gatling Street.

“Wint Hale was an unusual person to spend over 30 years as a Commissioner,” said retired Windsor Mayor Bob Spivey. “I was honored to serve with him 18 of those years. He was a dedicated and committed commissioner.”

Hale, who chose not to seek reelection last year, always kept the average citizen at the forefront of his mind, Spivey said.

“He was always concerned about the rights of the citizens,” Spivey said. “He wanted to make sure people were taken care of, streets were clean and garbage was picked up on time. He always brought up those items to make sure the average citizen was getting the service they were entitled to.”

Hale spent 36 years on the town board and also served with the Mid-East Commission for nearly three decades. He chose not to seek reelection in November, saying it was time for him to step aside.

“I’m getting old,” he said at the time. “I’ve run my course.”

Hale continued to love Windsor, where he moved at the age of 12 and remained most of his adult life.

“He loved the town of Windsor and was very dedicated to it,” said Windsor Commissioner Bob Brown. “I served with him for 18 years and sat beside him in the meetings. Mr. Hale was a good Commissioner.

“He has been missed since he retired, but he will certainly be missed now as a commissioner and as a citizen of Windsor,” Brown added.

During his service, Hale was instrumental in helping establish the Livermon Zoo and Park and was also one of the commissioners who decided to keep the town independent in electrical services, which many believe has saved the town considerable financial drain.

Windsor Mayor Jimmy Hoggard, who served for 20 years with Hale when both were commissioners, said his former colleague was one of the most conscientious commissioners a town could ask for.

“He was rock solid,” Mayor Hoggard said. “He wasn’t impressed by fads and you could always count on him to give wise opinion on the number of matters that came before us. We could always count on him to do the right thing.”

Windsor Town Administrator Allen Castelloe said he and the staff at town hall were appreciative of Hale and his service.

“He served the town faithfully for 36 years, which made him one of the longest serving commissioners in North Carolina,” Castelloe said. “He always brought a calmness and well thought-out decision making to the board.

“It was an honor to work with him those years,” he added. “He was truly an excellent boss and good friend to many of us at town hall. He will be sorely missed.”

Hale was a member of Cashie Baptist Church and was retired from the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department and the U.S. Postal Service. He served in the Navy Cee Bees in World War II.

Hale is survived by a daughter, Len Hale Joyner, of Rocky Mount and a son, the Rev. Oliver Winstead Hale Jr., of Murfreesboro.

He was laid to rest in a service Friday at Walker Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made to Cashie Baptist Church or University Home Care Hospice.