William (Bill) Winkle was born in Rapid City, South Dakota as the youngest of five siblings to Rev. Curtis Powell and June Adah Winkle. His smile lit up every room for the 83 years of his life, as did his laughter. He lived in Philip, Platte, Rapid City, and Huron, South Dakota, moving often because his father was a Sunday school missionary in the SD badlands and Synod Executive of the South Dakota Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. A lover of the outdoors, Bill earned the rank of Eagle Scout and enjoyed camping, canoeing, and hiking.
Bill’s gregarious and fun-loving personality found its perfect reflection in the tuba, which he played for his whole life. The tuba served as his lifeline (and first love), and eventually, it became his profession as a Yamaha Performing Artist in 1977.
Bill earned a Bachelor of Music from Huron College, where he was later awarded the Distinguished Citation in Applied Music on Tuba and the Distinguished Alumni Award. He earned his Master of Arts in bassoon and tuba from the University of Vermont and his Doctor of Arts in tuba and conducting from the University of Northern Colorado.
Bill met the love of his life, a clarinetist, Carola Kay (Croll) Winkle when they were seated next to each other (he was playing the bassoon) in the Huron Symphony Orchestra, which he later conducted. They were married on June 16, 1968, and enjoyed 56 years together. Bill and Carola’s partnership spanned their faith, professions, and family. They performed in annual recitals at Chadron State College (CSC), professionally together in the Chadron Arts Trio, and on tour with the Nebraska Arts Council. They traveled internationally to 29 countries, leading student music groups while also directing and playing in a variety of bands and orchestras. For 35 summers, Bill and Carola taught and performed at the International Music Camp along the US-Canadian border, where they were awarded the prestigious Order of Crossed Flags.
He became Director of Bands at CSC in 1971, retiring as Professor of Music in 2005, when he became Professor Emeritus. During his tenure at CSC, he earned commendations from the Nebraska State College Board of Trustees, the Nebraska State Music Educators Hall of Fame, he served as Nebraska State Bandmasters Association President, and he founded the Phi Beta Mu chapter in Nebraska (and also served as President) and the High Plains Band and Choir Festival. He is co-author (with Harvey Phillips) of The Art of Tuba and Euphonium (Summy-Birchard, Inc./Alfred Music) and he conducted and coordinated Merry TubaChristmas concerts for 47 years (spanning five states).
The curtain went up on Bill’s second act in Boise, Idaho, where he and Carola resided near their daughter, Brenda, and granddaughter, Mya Joi. He taught tuba at Boise State University from 2008-2015 while adoring his time with his granddaughter. In 2021, Bill and Carola moved together to Madison, Wisconsin to live closer to their granddaughters, Eleanor June and Abigail Lucille Winkle-Wagner (and their daughter and son-in-law, Rachelle and Mike), and treasured those three years together. They moved into Capitol Lakes of Madison, and greatly enjoyed the community there while being a part of their Madison granddaughter’s activities and lives.
Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carola K. Winkle, daughters Brenda Winkle, Rachelle Winkle- Wagner (Michael), granddaughters Mya Wilber, Eleanor and Abigail Winkle-Wagner, his brother Curtis A. and Kenneth W. (Anne) Winkle, his sister Carolyn Anderson and his beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Curtis Powell and June Adah (Alexander) Winkle and his brother John R. Winkle.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in memory of Dr. William Winkle to one of the following:
Chadron State College, Chadron Nebraska
https://www.csc.edu/foundation/give-now/ Select “Other” and type in William and Carola Winkle Music Scholarship
OR
International Music Camp Scholarship Endowment Fund in honor of William and Carola Winkle. https://internationalmusiccamp.com/support-imc/donate/
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434