Obituary: Preston Conaway

Preston Conaway was born in Paulsboro, New Jersey, on July 24, 1940. He was the husband of Glenda Ailiff for 55 years. They married in December 1963.  He has four daughters, born in the state of New Jersey. Cheryl, his oldest, is married to Tom Schumacher, and they have two children, Nadine and Sam. Wendy is married to Randy Steinbeck. She has a daughter, Amber, and they have daughter, Callie. Amber has two children, Shayla and Saige. Valerie is married to Todd Hunt, and they have two sons, Joseph and Gabriel. Last, Wanda is married to Shaun Morgan, and they have two boys and a girl, Taylor, Holly and Justin. Preston has a total of nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
● While in New Jersey he worked for the Navy, DuPont and Columbia Records. The Navy taught him his trade, where he learned how to be an electrician. When he was working at Dupont in Delaware, it was a long drive and long hours for Preston. When he came home from a hard day’s work, he would be greeted by his four excited daughters. They would rush to hug him and yell, “Daddy’s home.”

In 1981, he moved the family to Winter Garden, Florida, and worked for Disney. He retired from the work force at Disney after 23 years.  

● Preston had many things in life that he loved. He loved his family, church and friends. He enjoyed eating seafood and gardening. His daughters have kept him well supplied in seafood; crab was his favorite, and he taught his daughters how to catch a crab.

He grew some unusual things in his gardens. In New Jersey he grew horseradish. In Florida, he liked growing pineapples under his orange trees. Preston was always watering something in his gardens. 

Friends and family could catch him outside in the front yard watering the plants, hosing down the driveway and feeding his friends the squirrels. Sincerely, he will be a sight that is missed when you drive by his home. 
● Preston was a member of First Baptist Church of Winter Garden for 38 years. He was a deacon and usher and loved taking Sunday school attendance. Church was a major part of his life, and he enjoyed worshipping and socializing with his fellow Christians. 

Friend to many, even a hero to one, as he saved a girl from drowning in a riptide many years ago. Preston loved his Lord and Savior and shared that love for Christ with his family.

The viewing is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at First Baptist Church of Winter Garden, 125 Plant St. The funeral is from 10:30 to 11:30. There will be a lunch at the church after the graveside service.