WSFA-TV 12 News Director Des Wingard dies of cancer at age 46 in Montgomery

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October 30, 2025

Desmond Wingard spent half of his all-too-short life working on directing the news from WSFA-TV 12 News in Montgomery.

His co-workers and the tens of thousands of viewers who watched the news that Wingard directed are saying goodbye.

Wingard, called “Des” by friends, died October 30 of cancer.

He had started at WSFA in 1999 as a 19-year-old junior studying at Troy University. He worked for 11 years as assistant news director. In 2022, he landed his goal – news director.

His station published a tribute to him on their website.

Funeral arrangements will be announced.

Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com

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