Obituary of William R. Winkler

Mr. William Ralph �Bill� Winkler, Jr. age 83, of Winklers Creek Road, Boone, passed away at his residence. Born July 28, 1929 in Watauga County, he was a son of the late William Ralph and Effie Vance Winkler. Bill was a member of the First Baptist Church in Boone and the founding member and sponsor of the Daniel Boone Fisherman Club. He was an US Air Force Veteran and a member of the American Legion. Bill was a car salesman for over 64 years and was currently working at Boone Ford Lincoln Mercury. He began his career in the automotive industry working at Winkler Motor Company. Bill loved his family, his work and his many friends in the community. He is survived by his wife; Evelyn, his children; William Ralph Winkler, III and wife Rhonda of Boone, Melinda Cook and husband Sonny of Huntersville, Deborah Cole and husband Tyler of Asheboro, Daniel Winkler and Karen Shook of Blowing Rock, Amy Moore and husband Butch of Sugar Grove, and Holly Winkler and husband Glenn Hubbard of Greenville, NC, twelve grandchildren; Ashley W. Price, William Ralph Winkler, IV, Jessica W. Hall, Jeffrey S. Cook, Karen C. McVickers, Shana R. Harris, Jaimee R. Gibbs, Jonathan K. Cole, David J. Cole, A. Morgan Winkler, Jennifer S. Coffey, and Joshua M. Moore, seventeen great grandchildren; two sisters; Carolyn Congleton of Barbourville, KY, and Marbeth Fidler and husband Carl of Boone. Funeral services for Mr. William Ralph �Bill� Winkler, Jr. will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 5 o�clock at the First Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Roy Dobyns. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following for those attending, as well as those unable to attend, the service. Graveside services and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 375 West King Street, Boone, NC 28607 or to the Watauga Humane Society, PO Box 1835, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be expressed to the Winkler family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Winkler family.