William Winkler

William R. Winkler passed away peacefully on September 25, 2025 in Lawrence, KS at the age of 83 after a short illness. He was born in Hillside NJ, the son of Burton and L. Angela Winkler and spent his childhood in Stratford, CT. He graduated from Stratford High School, University of Bridgeport and New York University, and received his master’s degree in meteorology from the University of Chicago. He was passionate about the weather and astronomy and meteorology and was a longtime neighborhood weather observer for the National Weather Service. He had a long and distinguished career at NOAA, (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association), as a technical writer and analyst. Later, Bill became a certified special education teacher and taught in Dallas, TX. He retired to Lawrence, Kansas because of the exciting, changeable weather and the cultural environment provided by the University of Kansas and taught many Lawrence children as a substitute teacher. He was a long-time member of the Lawrence Kiwanis Club and Toastmasters Club, as well as Astronomical League Coordinator for the Astronomy Associates of Lawrence, He shared his love of astronomy with the residents of Lawrence through nighttime telescopic viewings at the Baker Wetlands. He was predeceased by brothers Burton, Michael and John Winkler, and is survived by sister Lorrie Winkler Ksiazek (Mike), special niece Kristen Cole (Ray), nephews Michael (Chrissy) and Tom (Melinda) Ksiazek, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and ex-wife Jane Winkler of New Mexico. He travelled the world with his best friend Chuck Vlcek of Oregon, viewing solar eclipses and national parks. Jim Wagner and Steve Flood were special meteorology friends. He also was a storm chaser! In his earlier years, he owned a horse and learned dressage and played the French horn. His gentle nature, brilliant mind, and loving heart were known to all who met him. Bill lived a life of faith. A devout Christian, he was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Lawrence, serving as lector. “The wonders of Heaven that Bill loved to observe, he can now view from Heaven.” Services will be private. Please consider donations in his name to his much loved Lawrence Senior Center at: Friends of The Senior Resource Center, 745 Vermont St., Lawrence, KS 66044