Billy "Bill" Mccoy Winkler

Mr. Billy McCoy ‘Bill” Winkler, 85, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Sunday October 22, 2017 at the Hospice Home of Burlington. Bill was born on September 19, 1932 in Granite Falls, NC to parents John Lester and Texie Triplet Winkler. After graduation from Granite Falls High School he joined the Air Force. Bill spent a short time in Japan during the Korean War and was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. While in Tampa he met his future wife, Mary Elizabeth Schneider at Tampa’s yearly event, “The Gasparilla Parade.” She was 16 and he was 20. It was love at first sight. Her sister gave Bill Mary’s phone number and he called her. They were married February 6, 1954. Once out of the Air Force, Bill attended N.C. State on the G.I. bill. He graduated in 1960 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Bill loved the mountains of NC, flying his airplanes, square dancing with his bride, and his family. He loved to tell corny jokes and make people laugh. He had a wonderful sense of humor. Bill is survived by his wife Mary of 63 years. He leaves behind his daughters, Robin Winkler Pauli and husband Jon, Shari Winkler Allen and husband Mark, and Laura Winkler Neese and husband Artie; seven grandchildren, Ashley (Jarrett), Allison (Adam), Laralee, Jennifer, Jonathan, Jeffrey and Julia; great grandchildren, Charlotte, Nolan and Aria. Paw Paw Bill will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday October 27, 2017 at the McClure Funeral Home Chapel in Graham with the family receiving friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation at 1-800-473-4636 or by visiting www.parkinson.org or to the Hospice of Alamance/Caswell at 918 Chapel Hill Rd. Burlington, NC 27215. John 3:16. Condolences may be offered at www.mcclurefuneralservice.net