On Monday, November 28, 2016, the Chester County Emergency Services community lost another one of its long time leaders. William R. L. Winters, Sr. passed away in the early morning hours yesterday at Harrison Senior Living in Christiana PA.

Chief Winters had been involved with the Chester County Firefighting community for over 50 years, 47 of those years as Fire Chief of the Atglen Fire Company. Chief Winters worked many other jobs throughout his long career, he was a paid driver for Coatesville City from 1964-1968, worked at the former Coatesville Hospital in the maintenance department and was a Chester County Fire Dispatcher from 1970 until the late 80's early 90's, leaving the Radio Room to go into Emergency Management. As a County Chief Instructor, he taught numerous "newbies" the basics of firefighting and gave them the foundation on which to build a firefighting career.

Chief Winters became Fire Chief of the Atglen Fire Company in September of 1966 and held that position for the next 47 years. Over the years Chief Winters expanded Atglen Fire Companies training and apparatus. This included bringing a Ladder truck into the station for a while and venturing into the EMS world by adding a QRS service.

Chief Winters held Life Memberships in Atglen, Parkesburg, Pomeroy & the West End Fire Companies, as well as in the Chester County Fire Chiefs Association.

Whether you called him, Chief, Bill, Friend, Co-worker, Mentor or something else Chief was always ready to lend anyone a hand or help anyone out. Chief will always be remembered as the kind of person on whom you could count on no matter what, 24/7/365. Chief, you will be sorely missed, please continue to watch over all of us.

Services for Chief Winters will be on Friday, December 2, 2016, from Wildes Funeral Home, 434 Main Street, Parkesburg PA. Veiwing 0900-1100 hrs, service at 1100 hrs. Private burial at the convenience of the family. www.wildefuneralhome.com

Chief, Thank you for all that you've done for the Chester County Emergency Services Community & the surrounding communities. You will always be a part of numerous "story times" between firefighters & friends.

Rest easy Chief Winters, we've got it from here.....