William Winans

William H. (Bill) Winans, Jr., of Norwich, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 14, 2014.

He was born in Amsterdam, NY, on October 26, 1946, to William Winans, Sr. and the late Anne (Gladd) Winans. In 1970, Bill graduated from Bryant College in Rhode Island with a degree in Business Administration after which he spent 12 years managing the Winans Men’s Shop in Norwich from 1974-1986. He then worked for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Utica from 1988-2001. Most recently, Bill had been a bus driver for the Norwich City School District and Oneonta Public Transit.

Bill was very active in the community including being a long-time member of the Lions Club, a past president of the Norwich Marching Band Parents and a board member of the Norwich City School District. He was also an avid golfer. Bill was very active in his children's lives and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his large family.

He is survived by his wife Kathy Winans, his father, William Winans, Sr., his children, Melinda (Edward) Spiegel, Natalie Winans (Jamie Slater), Joel Winans (Katt Cassata), Liza Winans (fiancee Larry VonHoltz Jr.), their mother Diane Natale, and his grandchildren Miles, Cole, Samuel, Trey, Sydney and Madison. He is also survived by his step-children, Martha (Jason) Hall, Dale (Dawn) McCall, Herbert (Terri) McCall, Carrie (Tom) Hodge, his sisters-in-law Donna (Ralph) Amatuccio and Stephanie (David) Wright; his brother-in-law Richard Mondore, as well as 22 step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.

Calling hours for Bill will be at the Wilson Funeral Home in Norwich on Sunday, June 22, 2014, from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. with a memorial service to immediately follow. The Lions Club would like to invite everyone to come to honor Bill at the Lutheran Church in Norwich following the memorial service.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Vision Research, 550 Harrison St., Suite L, Syracuse, NY 13202.