Obituary of William E. Winkler
Our beloved William “Bill” Edward Winkler, 91, born on March 29, 1928, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2020. A longtime resident of Camden NJ, Collingswood NJ Rehoboth Beach DE and Cherry Hill NJ. Bill spent the last week of his life in the care of his son Jeff, daughter-in-law Jackie and daughter Monica in the woodlands of Milford, PA and his last evening celebrating his upcoming 92nd birthday with his grandchildren and great grandchildren via FaceTime.
Bill was the son of William and Helen Winkler and husband of Anneliese Vogelmann-Winkler, who preceded him in death as did his brothers Bob and John and sisters Shirley, Dolores and Dorothy. He is survived by his daughters Monica Lee and Evelyn (Butch) Crawford, sons Jeffery (Jacqueline) Winkler, Michael Winkler and Eddie (Denise) Winkler, grandchildren Jennifer, Erika, Krista, Kevin, Randy, Erin, Sean, Jerrica, Shane, Colin, Beau and Sloan and great grandchildren Ryan, Lorenzo, Jordan, Joey, Kyle, McKenzie and Nicholas.
Bill, an Army veteran of the Korean War, met and married the beautiful Anneliese while stationed in Germany. After the war they settled in Fairview, NJ to raise their children until moving to Collingswood where they lived until his retirement. Bill was a highly skilled machinist/tool and die maker at RCA/GE Camden for 46 years. He was involved in the making of machine parts and electronics for both military and commercial purposes. Bill also worked a second job in a local machine shop to provide for his family.
Bill was born and raised in Camden NJ. His father worked long hours at the Front Street Coke and Coal plant while his mother cared for their six children. As the oldest child during hard economic times, Bill was expected to help the family household and so he left school to find work. Those early years were tough but as a handsome young man, he enjoyed the nightlife that the times offered, making the rounds in the clubs and dancehalls of Camden and Gloucester; Bill was quite the dancer! His love of music continued throughout his life. Music played in his room as he took his final breath and it’s lovely to think he beckoned Anneliese to join him in an eternal dance.
Bill and Anneliese shared a long and enjoyable retirement in Rehoboth Beach, De. Special family memories were made at the Lee beach house in Avalon NJ, the family gathering for sun and fun. In later years, tragedy struck when Anneliese was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Bill was by her side everyday until her death in December 2019.
Our family cannot begin to express how much we will miss him...Dad, Pop, Grandpop, PopPop, Bill. He lived long and well and we celebrate his life.
Due to the current health crisis caused by COVID-19 and recommendations of the CDC, interment will take place privately at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery with his late wife Anneliese. A memorial service will be announced at a later date at www.carusocare.com, where you can find info, leave condolences and sign the online guestbook. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the American Heart Association, 1 Union Street, Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691.