The Keystone Valley Fire Department regrets to announce the passing of William "Bill" Winters also known as "Chief 26" of Atglen Fire Company. Chief Winters served the Atglen Fire Company and residents of Atglen Borough for over 50 years. Chief 26 Winters was Fire Chief for 46 years at the Atglen Fire Company.

Many members indicated that once again the fire service has lost another icon in the service. Bill Winters Sr. Was not only the last Chief of the Atglen Fire Company, he was also a great friend to many, a mentor and in the true spirit of the fire service a brother. Chief Winter’s wisdom was second to none and he always expressed his opinion no matter what. Many members of KVFD who started in the fire service at ages 14,15 and 16 remember Bill Winters being their first instructor in the fire service. Their first fire dispatcher to acknowledge them on the radio and most importantly his acknowledgment of you by your first name over the radio or in person.

Many posts on social media sum it all up. Many paying tribute to a man the Chester County Fire Service owes so much to. His years of leadership, his years of dedication, his years of working to protect lives and property of our community’s residents are countless. He was the definition of a mentor, a leader and most importantly a true friend to anyone he met and knew him. He was the first fire instructor many of us had the chance to train under. and obtain knowledge of the fire service.

The fact that many leaders of the fire service today in Chester County can reflect upon that those lessons have been valuable and to the point in today's service.

Chief Gathercole notes he remembers the early days when fire school was held at Atglen Fire Company and as a young kid being dropped off Station # 26 by his father who was Chief of Westwood at the time and being told "learn something" as that man has seen a lot and knows a lot meaning - Bill Winters. Being dropped off for that training is where friendships and relationships started. Rich Klingler Past Chief of Parkesburg and the current Assistant of KVFD, Frank Dowlin current Chief of Modena and many others went through the same training and since then many are still responding to calls today in their communities.

Wilde Funeral Home:

William R. L. Winters, Sr., 75, of Atglen, passed away on Monday, November, 28, 2016 at Harrison Senior Living in Christiana, PA. He was the husband of Shirley R. Winters and his first wife the late Anita Persing Winters who died in 2007. Born in Atglen, he was the son of the late William H. Winters and Elsie Hudson Winters.

Bill was an Atglen resident all his life and a 1960 graduate of the former Scott High School in Coatesville. He was employed by the Chester County Fire Board with the Emergency Services Department. He proudly served for 46 years as Fire Chief with the Atglen Volunteer Fire Company.

He is survived, in addition to his wife, by one son William R. L. Winters, Jr. of Atglen.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 2, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Wilde Funeral Home, 434 Main St. Parkesburg, PA. Family and friends are also invited to attend the viewing from 9:00 am to the time of the service. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bill's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 399 Market St. Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com