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Walter M. Windsor
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Walter M. Windsor (Walter Winkopp) was born in New York City and attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California. Gifted with a deep speaking and singing voice, he began his career as a singer on KGER/Long Beach in 1935 when he was just 16, and went on to work at stations in Ohio, Michigan, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Alabama and Utah. He was also a writer and actor on KFOX/Los Angeles, and wrote jokes for W.C. Fields’ “Chase and Sanborn Hour” on NBC.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army with the Armed Forces Radio Network. After his Army commitment ended, he resumed his broadcasting career, and served as general manager at stations in Connecticut, Virginia, and Georgia.
Windsor also managed TV stations in several markets, and eventually became the corporate head for several groups of TV/radio stations. In 1969, he moved to Orlando as GM of ABC affiliate WFTV-Channel 9 where he became familiar to viewers as the station’s editorial spokesman. He also appeared regularly on a TV show about the movies called “Filmography,” and was well known as the emcee for the PESO TV Auction that raised money for Orlando arts groups.
When WFTV was sold in 1984, he became head of the new owner’s broadcasting division, but left that position in 1986 to acquire and manage a group of Florida radio stations that included WAMR AM/FM and WRAV-FM/Venice.
After a 52-year broadcasting career, Walter Michael Windsor retired in 1987 and passed away from pneumonia in 2008 at the age of 89.
Station History
1986 - 1987 Other Tampa Bay Area Stations (Management)
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