William G. ("Bill") Winkler passed away September 1, 2012, at home surrounded by his children. He was born in 1928 to the late James B. and Carrie Winkler. He was a lifelong resident of Boone.

Mr. Winkler graduated from Appalachian High School in 1945 where he was Class President. After obtaining his Civil Engineering degree from N.C. State College in Raleigh, he served for two years with the U.S. Army in Korea. He returned to Boone where he met and married the love of his life, Sybil "Polly" Winkler, who predeceased him.

Upon his return to Boone, Mr. Winkler joined his father at Winkler Heating and Plumbing where they kept Boone warm and helped build the growing town together for 20 years. In 1997, Mr. Winkler's son, Bennett, joined him as a third generation plumber.

In 1978, Mr. Winkler joined Appalachian State University as Director of Mechanical Engineering and was promoted to Associate Vice-Chancellor for Physical Operations. He retired from ASU in 1992, but continued to work each day in the plumbing business until June 2012.

Left to cherish his memory are his children Susan and her love, Fred Messinger, of Boston, MA; Carol and her husband, Bill Newnam, of Atlanta, GA, Bennett and his love, Kerry Clark, of Vilas, NC, Gray and his wife, Miel Corbett, of Portland, OR; his sister-in-law Alma Winkler of Boone, married to the late James W. Winkler; and their family, and his five grandchildren, Rachel, Daniel and Mitchell Lurie and Cori and Jordan Newnam.

A celebration of Bill's life was held Tuesday afternoon, September 4, 2012, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Military honors were provided by American Legion Post 130 of Boone and The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Watauga Education Foundation at http://www.wataugaeducationfoundation.org/donate.

The family would also like to express their deep appreciation to the staff at Medi-Home Hospice for their compassion and skill in guiding us in caring for our father in his final weeks.

Online condolences may be sent to the Winkler family at http://www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service was in charge of the arrangements.