Background
Even as a child, Windels was surrounded by shoes and he almost continued in the shoemaker world of his father and grandfather.
Even as a child, Windels was surrounded by shoes and he almost continued in the shoemaker world of his father and grandfather.
However after finishing preschool, his teacher adviced him to become a teacher. He followed his teachers advice and studied at the Normaalschool in Torhout where he graduated with honors on 30 June 1943.
He was also a teacher and founded schools. Teaching Years
Windels worked as a history teacher in the Normaalschool in Torhout from 15 September 1958 to 31 August 1970. Windels founded a number of schools where students could learn for independent professions.
In 1963 he founded the IVV which is now known as Ter Groene Poorte hotelschool in Bruges.
Windels became chairman of the executive power of the schools construction. His first election experience was during the elections of 26 June 1949.
In 1958 Windels became the chairman of the NCMV in Torhout, during his term he raised the membership number from 78 in 1958 to 256 in 1968 when his term ended. And when in 1963 the Federation for free time, sport activities and community development was created, he became chairman again.
Beside that he also was chairman of the salon for gastromony.
Between 1961 and 1967, Windels became one of then ministers Albert De Clerck and Adhémar d"Alcantara"s advisers. His duty consisted mostly to let administration and private educational initiatives collaborate and to translate the notes of the training schools into laws, royal and ministerial decrees. Senator
Windels became senator for Bruges in 1977 for Christelijke Volkspartij (Christian People's Party), he also became the chairman for the senatescommission for education.
Besides that he also was vice-chairman of the Christelijke Volkspartij (Christian People's Party)"s senate fraction, vice-chairman of the Christelijke Volkspartij (Christian People's Party)"s Bruges district and chairman of the Christelijke Volkspartij (Christian People's Party) in Torhout.
After finishing his term in 1987, he ended his international career in Belgian politics
Mayor of Torhout
Windels was Mayor of the West-Flemish city of Torhout from 1983 to 1991 for Christelijke Volkspartij (Christian People's Party). He took the responsibility for the general policy, police and traffic, finances, public health and tourism. In his term as Mayor, he realised a number of goals including:
The renewal of the city centre
New parking options
Restoring the city"s park, including adding a new pond, planting mire trees and other plants and restoring castle Ravenhof
Expanding the watersupply along a large number of streets on Torhout soil
Building a new sportcenter which was used for the first time in 1987
A new bike and hike trail to Wijnendale
Founding the VZW foundation of Wijnendale castle
During the new 1991 elections, Windels felt that his duty as Mayor was fulfilled and put his favorite candidate forward to succeed him.
Windels became a member of the Christian People"s Party (Christelijke Volkspartij (Christian People's Party)) in 1948 and became the party"s secretary.
He also was a member of the culture counsil and the Dutch culture community from May 1977 to October 1980 and he was a member of the flemish counsil from 21 October 1980 to 12 December 1987.