William A. Winkley Sr. was born May 13, 1930 at Darcy Hospital, in Miles City, MT, the son of William F. Winkley and Cecilia G. (Shumsky) Winkley. The family lived in Carter County on the family ranch nine miles east of Powderville where he grew up with several Winkley cousins. Bill attended 6 years of school in Powderville, then 2 years at the Winkley school, and then high school in Ekalaka.
Bill bought the hotel and cafe in Plevna, MT in 1949 which his folks operated after November of 1950 in which he enlisted in the United States Air Force stationed in Greensville South Carolina
as a supply sergant. He was honorably discharged in 1954 at the rank of Staff Sgt. In 1952 he was married to Emily Rodgers, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. They returned to Miles City, MT in 1954. To this marriage 3 children were born. William Allen Winkley Jr., Terry Winkley, and Melinnee (Cindy) Mastel (Marvin). Also two step children Michael West and Kenny Salmi. Bill worked at various jobs railroading, driving bus for Grey Hound, the old refinery wrecking yard north of town, L.P. Anderson, co-owner Baker Cement, and worked for Miles City Sand and Gravel, Rask Electric, Miles City Ready Mix, Mid-West Motor Express, Behlen Buildings. Bill
also owned W.A. Winkley Construction doing highway concrete work on the interstate. After Bill retired he continued working fixing appliances and other household items.
On August 26, 1972 Bill and Linda (Sotka) were married in Watertown, SD. To this union 2 children were born; Mark Winkley (Jennifer) and Kari Winkley (Jarred Pitcher). Bill also had three step children Laura (Sotka) Wetherelt (Allen); Roni Sue (Sotka) Adams (Bob) and Scott Sotka. In 1979 Bill and Linda owned and operated the 10 Spot Cafeé until 1986. Bill was a very handy man. He could make something out of nothing and fix anything, drive or operate any machinery.
Bill is survived by his wife Linda, son Allen Winkley Jr., Miles City; daughter-in-law Cindy (Brown) Winkley of Helena; daughter, Cindy Mastel (Marvin) of Rapid City, SD; step daughter Laura Wetherelt (Allen) of Forsyth, MT; step daughter Roni Sue Adams (Bob) Eau Claire, WI; step son Scott Sotka of San Jose CA, son Mark (Jennifer) Winkley of Miles City, MT and daughter Kari Winkley (Jarred Pitcher) of Kalispell, MT. 21 grandchildren, a new one expected in November making a total of 22; 13 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchild. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Cecilia Winkley and his son Terry Winkley.
Visitation will be held Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00pm to 6:00 pm. Graveside services will be held on Friday, July 29, 2011 at 10:30 am at the Eastern Montana State Veteran´s Cemetery with full military honors provided by the VFW Post #1579. Family and friends will meet at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. to proceed to the cemetery together. There will be a gathering at the VFW following the services. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
Service Schedule
Graveside Services
10:30
Friday July 29, 2011
Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
259 Cemetery Road
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Graveside Services
10:30
Friday July 29, 2011
Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
259 Cemetery Road
Miles City, MT 59301
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Julie Straub says
Linda, Mark and families,
I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I always enjoyed chatting with Bill – what a character! Hold your memories close. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Patty Washington says
Linda: So sorry to hear of your loss. May the wonderful memories you have of Bill comfort you at this time. Love, Patty Washington
Diane Grutkowski says
I’m thinking of you all in friendship and in sympathy. Bill was one of my favorite people. I will miss him, his sense of humor, and our little chats.
Happy Trails Bill.
Margo White says
Mr. Winkley was the nicest man in Miles City. He always had a smile for you, and would help anyone he could. You can be very proud of the person he was. God Bless
Mike and Deeon Bickle says
Our deepest sympathy
Deeon and Mike
jacob and jennifer simler says
peace be with you and your family at this time of sorrow
Byan Trainer says
I am so sorry to hear of your families loss. I remember eating at the restraunt when I was little..Bill was an awsome cook..Please give your mother a hug for me, and know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers..He will be missed.
Linda Sotka says
You are all in my thougths and prayers during this difficult time.
Love to you all,
Linda Sue
Mark Langdorf says
Sadden to hear of your loss. My best regards to you all.
Diane Grutkowski says
Bill will always be one of my favorite people. I will cherish memories of his unique sense of humor & funny stories, (stories he is now entertaining angels with). My condolences to all the family for their loss. You are in my prayers.
Nick Winkley says
I am very sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, I was actually looking for William for my Winkley Family genalogy project, and have confirmed that he is in it. When you can(when appropriate), I would like contact to update my records and share them with you. From what I have read about William on your site, he was a good man. Once again, I am sorry for your loss. Signed, Nick Winkley, Sacramento, California.
Tim Crews says
I am so sorry for your loss. I also apologize I can’t be there for visitation & graveside services due to work. I pray that you will be comforted during this time
Butch and Mrs. Francis Smith says
Linda,
Our deepest sympathy in your loss-may all of your happy memories be source of comfort to you and your family at this time.
In Deepest Sympathy,
Butch and Cathe
larry bennett says
so sorry to hear about bill’s passing . the bennett families thoughts and prayers at with you at this time of loss. larry bennett and family
rob bartholomew says
my pleasure to have known bill. did a lot of good work for me, but more importantly he seemed happy and always treated me well.
Marcy Parks says
Linda and Kari, I am so sorry to hear about Bill. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Marcy Parks
Kenneth Sameul Worm says
Grandpa was a very loving man that I will dearly miss the rest of my life. He helped me greatly by the passing on of his knowlegde and experiences from life to me, and the greatest treasury of all was that he loved us for who we are.
Rob Shipley says
Bill was a good, close friend of my father, R. D. Shipley, and me.
Bill was the last person I talked to before I was kidnapped at gunpoint out the back door of the Range Riders Bar, March 12, 1985. In those first desperate minutes I PRAYED and PRAYED and PRAYED and PRAYED Bill Winkley would be able to help the police locate me and save me.
Bill Winkley and his love will F O R E V E R be stamped upon my brainstem.
I plan to enjoy his acceptance of me and wonderful friendship I throughout all of eternity.