William ‘Bill’ J. Winter, Sr. passed away peacefully at home in Mount Vernon with family at his side on September 3, 2009 at the age of 82. He had been battling bladder and lung cancer since 2002, always with a smile on his face and never losing his sense of humor.

He was born April 8, 1927 in Everett, WA to Dutch immigrants, William and Johanna (Hordyk) Winter.

He leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Beverly. He is also survived by his three children: Bill Jr. (Linda) of Lynnwood; Jim (Ellen), and Linda Putnam (Larry) both of Arlington; three stepchildren: Charlotte Knutson (Neil) of Arlington; Albert McFarland (Trudy) of Sequim; and Dave McFarland of Port Angeles; and 12 grandchildren: Eilidh Husby (Brett); Tiffany Herman (Clint); Jamie Wilson (Andrew); Drew Putnam; Nelson and Nolan Knutson; Caitlin, Jenna, Emily, and Amy McFarland; and Travis and Josh McFarland.

Bill attended school in Snohomish then moved with his family to Sequim where he spent many years working on dairy farms with his father and brothers. He finally purchased his own farm in 1949 in Ferndale with his first wife, Millie. Bill later moved his family to Arlington where he continued farming and raised their three children.

In 1958, he turned to trucking ­— hauling hay to numerous farmers in the Arlington area that became his lifetime friends, and then hauling grain from Montana to Seattle.

In the latter part of his working career, Bill turned to logging as his profession and hauled from numerous locations throughout the North Bend and Port Angeles areas.

He married his second wife Beverly in 1984. In 1989, he retired and built a home in Mount Vernon where he enjoyed his many “projects” involving tinkering and building things for family and friends.

A man of great practical knowledge and wisdom, he was routinely consulted by members of his family on all manner of their life’s decisions, even in his final months.

Bill enjoyed camping with family, fishing, hunting and regularly “snowbirding” in Arizona where he made many great friends from around the country.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Johanna, and brothers, Jake, Bud, Ron and Ken. A memorial service will be held on Sept. 26 at 1 p.m. at the Arlington Free Methodist Church (730 E. Highland Dr, Arlington, WA 98223). A reception will follow.

Bill’s family would like to thank all of the doctors and nurses at the Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Center and Skagit Hospice for all of their support and care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Skagit Hospice (819 S 13th St, Mt. Vernon, WA 98274). Arrangements entrusted to Weller Funeral Home.