Walter 'Woody' Winkler Of Southampton Dies May 13

author on May 18, 2015

Walter “Woody” H. Winkler of Southampton died on May 13 at St. Charles Hospital. He was 87.

Born in the Bronx on November 11, 1927, he spent his formative years in the Bronx, where his sense of adventure made him enlist in the U.S. Navy and serve his country honorably during World War II. After he completed his military service, his interest in engineering led him to join the New York Telephone Company, and he worked for the company in varying capacities for the next 38 years.

He retired to Southampton in 1987.

An avid boater and fisherman, he was a longtime member of Bullhead Yacht Club and the Peconic Bay Power Squadron, where he served as commander. He was also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Mr. Winkler is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dorothy; a son, Bill and wife Judy; and a daughter, Linda Lewis and husband Floyd; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The family received friends on May 16 at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton, where the Reverend Dr. Rick Boyer officiated at a funeral service. Burial was private.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Southampton, 2 South Main Street, Southampton, NY 11968.

You May Also Like:

Flag Legends

I was surprised to find out that the Betsy Ross flag is not an official flag of the United States. The case for the Betsy Ross flag’s legitimacy is one of inter-meshing legends — and it begins in Bridgehampton. Bridgehampton had a militia in 1775. John Hulbert, its leader, recruited 68 men. Congress ordered him to escort the British prisoners taken in the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga to Philadelphia, the Continental capital. Hulbert found himself in Philadelphia in late October or early November 1775. Hulbert’s flag had 13 six-pointed stars in a blue field, six stripes deep, in a diamond ... 8 Dec 2025 by Staff Writer

Insult to Injury

Environmentally minded Southampton residents should be concerned that “Madison Ave. Capital Partners” is asking the Southampton Village Zoning Board of Appeals for permission to build a long, elevated catwalk or dock across tidal wetlands at 1323 Meadow Lane — presented at the ZBA’s December 4 meeting. The ZBA appears poised to rubber-stamp it on January 15. The location could not be more sensitive. The area between the home and Shinnecock Bay is not simply a “wetland” — it is a tidal wetland system, one of the healthiest and cleanest in the bay. These wetlands flood and drain with the tide, ... by Staff Writer

No Good Deed

The Lake Agawam Conservancy has no interest in being enmeshed in village politics or the next mayoral election. Sadly, the village’s and the conservancy’s joint Gin Lane wetlands restoration project, which should be a cause for civic celebration, is now embroiled in controversy, including in letters to this paper and emails to village residents — proving that no good deed goes unpunished. Here are the facts: Since 2019, the conservancy has raised and spent millions to clean up the lake. Dr. Christopher Gobler reports that the lake is cleaner than in decades. This fall, working with Mayor Bill Manger and ... by Staff Writer

MAGA's End

It would seem that Ed Surgan was somewhat taken aback by the dazzling array of letters from his neighbors castigating his views on the current administration, his acceptance of the methods being used to deport immigrants, and his need to regularly pontificate on his perception of Herr Trump’s brilliance [“Worthy of Debate,” Letters, December 4]. Because he (Surgan) is not exactly a stupid person, and has the ability to string together sentences that might be perceived as those of an educated man, despite their actual content and meaning, he condescends to preach to us as though we were all silly ... by Staff Writer

The Real TDS

Yes, Virginia, there is a “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” You need only peruse the episodic incidents in print of Ed Surgan to verify and isolate its local outbreak [“Worthy of Debate,” Letters, December 4]. To be clear, Virginia, you need not be afraid. The general public is immune to the disease, and likely to remain so. Luckily, as it turns out, as no vaccine will be made available for the next three years, when it is anticipated it will die out. A healthy diet of facts, memory, logic, skepticism, civility, and the ability to reason and think for yourself, along with ... by Staff Writer

Many Thanks

On December 3, the Hampton Bays Beautification Association celebrated its 40th anniversary with a Holiday Luncheon and Awards Ceremony at Oakland’s Restaurant in Hampton Bays. Special thanks to Chairpersons Grace Daly and Madeline O’Keefe for arranging a lovely event. Congratulations to Barbara Skelly and M.J. Spinella, who received the HBBA 2025 “Angel of the Year” awards. The HBBA 2025 Community Appreciation Award was presented to Gilbert Tirado of GM Painting, for his service and many contributions to HBBA, and the 2025 HBBA Beautification Award was presented to James Maguire of James Maguire Antiques, for a beautiful store. Special thanks to ... by Staff Writer

Changing Tides

Although my elected position as Southampton Town Trustee has not officially started, I have already jumped in feet first. In my short time visiting the Trustees’ office, my observations of the environment have been of confidence, encouragement, optimism and poise, paralleled with the respect for and recognition of a significant transition. The employees have a level of patience and support that make me feel at ease, and I can recognize the dignity with which they are holding space for the outgoing board. Ed Warner and Scott Horowitz have, without a doubt, left a legacy with their work on the Board ... by Staff Writer

Lawn Madness

Yes, we have a nitrogen problem in our waterways that is devastating the ecosystem we all depend on [“The Nitrogen Threat,” Suffolk Closeup, Opinion, December 4]. Blame it on farmers, blame it on food, when farmers add less nitrogen to groundwater than lawns do. Blame it on cesspools, which do, in fact, add to the problem. But before we continue debating the new septic tanks for years on end — ripping up soil and plants, exposing soil with heavy machinery, and only for those who can afford them — let’s talk about the unnecessary over-fertilization of the ever-present, over-abundant, environment-destroying ... by Staff Writer

False Information

Southampton Village Mayor Bill Manger, his records officer and the village’s own Freedom of Information Law appeals officer owe me, another resident and The Southampton Press a public apology. Last week, The Press exposed the village for issuing a false statement claiming that a public document “does not exist, as per Board of Architectural Review and Historic Preservation legal counsel Alice Cooley” [“Southampton Village Denies FOIL Requests for Draft Historic District Report,” 27east.com, December 3]. Yet, when questioned by the paper, Village Administrator Scott Russell insisted that the ARB attorney never said any such thing. That is remarkable, because the ... by Staff Writer

Pierson Girls Improve to 2-0 After Win Over Hampton Bays

They may not have been the prettiest of wins, head coach John “Woody” Kneeland admitted, ... by Drew Budd