Wingo was born in Arkon, Ohio, and grew up in Northwest Washington, D.C., where he started his journalism career as a sports reporter for his Western High School student newspaper.
Wingo graduated from George Washington University after serving as an enlisted man during the Korean War. He was a reporter for the Washington Daily News, where he received an Ernie Pyle Front Page Award, and became a columnist for Nation's Business before joining U.S. News.
The National Press Club was a central part of his life. His daughter, Susan Kiers, recalled attending father/daughter nights at the Club with her father and sister.
"I loved that night," she said. "My dad loved D.C. He knew every building in town and loved giving visitors tours."
She and many other members of the Wingo family attended the ceremony when Wingo became a Platinum Owl (60-year) member of the Club. He was an avid chess player and won one of the Club's chess tournaments.
Wingo was a serious tennis player and bicyclist well into his 80s and was an enthusiastic fan of the Washington Nationals baseball team and its predecessor team, the Washington Senators.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Mary Lafayette Wingo, four children, five granddaughters and a great-granddaughter. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Aug. 22 at the Murphy Funeral Home in Arlington.