William Winchester II

William, better known as Bill, grew up in San Jose, CA, listening to folk music and learning everything he could about classic cars. He enrolled at San Jose State University and became a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. During a semester at sea on Chapman University’s World Campus Afloat, he met the love of his life, Gretchen Sternberg. They had their first date in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Back on dry land, Bill followed Gretchen to Arizona State University, where he received a degree in Environmental Design. Bill and Gretchen were married in Phoenix, AZ in 1970, and both worked there as interior designers for commercial and residential projects.

In 1975 their only child, daughter, Kristin, was born. Shortly after, the family moved to Las Vegas, NV, where Bill took a position as Manager of the Facilities Planning and Design department at Southwest Gas Company, where he worked for 30 years. In addition to being dedicated to his work and being a member of the American Society of Interior Designers’ Las Vegas Chapter, Bill was an avid gardener, a gourmet cook, and the designer of his own home, into which the family moved in 1989.

Bill was a wonderful husband and father, always making time for his family. After retiring from Southwest Gas, Bill and Gretchen relocated to Albuquerque, NM in 2007 to be closer to Kristin; her husband, David; and their son, Grant, Bill and Gretchen’s only grandchild. Grant was the light of Bill’s life, and they spent their days after school looking at cars, working in the garden, or playing Legos. Bill and Gretchen were active members of New Life Presbyterian Church, where Bill led the effort to recognize New Life as the first Earthcare Congregation in Albuquerque.

Bill is survived by his wife, Gretchen Sternberg Winchester; daughter, Kristin Winchester Leigh; son-in-law, David Leigh; grandson, Grant Leigh; sister, Anne Winchester; brother, Carl Winchester; brother-in-law, Grant Sternberg; sister-in-law, Diane Sternberg; two nieces and a nephew; and many other beloved family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, William W. Winchester; mother, Elsie Chilman Winchester; father-in-law, Harold Sternberg; and mother-in-law, Helen Sternberg Woods.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill’s memory to Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum at www.explora.us.

Private services will be held.