Fr. William Winters OFM, Cap.

The Capuchin Franciscan friars of the Province of St. Mary mourn the death of their brother, Fr. William H. Winters, O.F.M. Cap., who passed from this life on July 29, 2025, in Yonkers, N.Y., at the age of eighty-seven.

He was born in Brooklyn on July 25, 1938, to William Henry Winters and Vivian Mary Gormley, and grew up a block away from the friars at St. Michael Parish. He graduated from Glenclyffe High School, the Capuchin minor seminary in Garrison, N.Y., and entered the novitiate on Aug. 31, 1956. He professed his perpetual vows on Sept. 1, 1960, and was ordained to the priesthood on Nov. 28, 1964. He went to Europe for two years to study theology at the University of Innsbruck and Institute Catholique of Paris.

Back in the United States, Father Bill commenced an academic career at Capuchin Theological Seminary in Garrison as professor of theology and prefect of studies for clerical friars. He also taught at Maryknoll School of Theology, Ossining, N.Y., and St. Joseph Seminary, Yonkers. In 1973 he transferred from Garrison to the house of studies at St. Anthony Friary, Hudson, N.H., where he was guardian and provincial director of formation. In 1976 he moved to the Diocese of Portland, Maine, where for a decade he was episcopal vicar for religious and director of the diocesan office of ministry to priests. After a sabbatical year at Gregorian University, Rome, he was elected to the Provincial Council in 1987. During his term as Definitor he was the guardian and director of an interprovincial postulancy program at St. Lawrence Friary in Yonkers, NY.

In 1990 he moved to St. Joseph the Worker Parish in East Patchogue, N.Y. Except for six years at St. Fidelis Friary in Interlaken, N.Y. (2002-08), Father Bill would spend the next three decades at St. Joseph the Worker as parochial vicar, fraternal vicar, and senior friar. He retired to St. Clare Friary in Yonkers in 2020.

He is survived by a brother, Stephen; a nephew, Vincent J. Winters; a niece, Patricia Waldner; and other loved ones.

A wake will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025-3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at the Whalen & Ball Funeral Home, 168 Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10703. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Monastery Church of the Sacred Heart, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703. Burial to follow at the Province of St. Mary Cemetery.

In place of flowers, donations can be made to the Province of St. Mary in Memory of Fr. William H. Winters, O.F.M. Cap. in support of the continued good works of the Capuchin Franciscan friars. You can send your donations to the Capuchin Mission & Development Office, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703.