Birth June, 26, 1936Schentectady, NYDeath Nov. 21, 2024Essex Junction, VTDetails of serviceThe family will receive those who wish to extend condolences on Monday, Nov. 25th from 5-7 p.m. at Gifford Funeral Home in Richmond. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 26th, 3 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Burlington, VT.William (Bill) Ruffner Wintersteen, of Richmond, VT, passed away on Nov. 21, 2024, after a long life well-lived. Despite facing a courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia for the past four years, Bill was able to remain home until only the last few weeks of his life. During that time, he enjoyed many special moments with his family due to the dedicated care of his beloved wife, Jackie.Bill was born in Schenectady, NY on June 26, 1936, son of Edward and Virginia (Ruffner) Wintersteen. He spent his early years in Schenectady and Garden City, Long Island before the family settled in Chappaqua, NY. After graduating from Horace Greeley high school in 1954, he returned to his birthplace to attend Union College, graduating in 1958. During the summer of 1956, he embarked on a cross-Atlantic ship to Europe. There, he met his Belgian bride-to-be, Jacqueline Boutet at an ecumenical work camp near her hometown. Following a four-year correspondence and courtship, they married on July 14, 1960. Their first year of marriage coincided with Bill’s last year of seminary at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, NY, from which he graduated in 1961 with a Master of Divinity.The couple moved to Richmond, Vermont in 1961 where Bill became minister of the Richmond Congregational Church until 1968. As minister, he found great purpose in his mentoring role in youth groups as well as counseling people through life’s greatest transitions. Bill was especially proud to have been the officiant at the weddings of his daughter and grandson as well as countless other couples throughout Vermont. He later transferred these counseling skills to state government, working for the department of employment and training in Barre and Burlington for over three decades. Over the years, he stayed involved in local government serving on the Richmond library board and the Mount Mansfield school board.Bill’s greatest joys came from his family! He was a proud husband to Jackie for 64 years to whom, within two days of meeting in 1956, he declared his love. They enjoyed numerous trips out West, to Maine, throughout Canada, and overseas to numerous countries, including returning often to Belgium. While there, Bill would jump right back into speaking French. Each of their grandchildren cherish the memories from their special trips to Belgium to learn about their heritage “with Bepa and Bonne Maman”.  Bill and Jackie were equally as happy spending time at their cozy home in Richmond and every summer at their camp on Lake Champlain. There, they hosted friends and family for delicious meals and much laughter. Bill loved cracking jokes and had a way with words offering puns and quips, to everyone’s amusement. Bill was an ever-present father to his son, Paul, and his daughter, Christine. Always at the sidelines, he never missed a game and enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids grow up on the sports fields. He was curious about those he loved, asking his children and grandchildren about their classes, work and personal lives. He enjoyed reading books, playing cribbage and other boardgames, and was a lifelong UVM hockey fan since the late 1960’s. He attended games through last winter with his son, grandson, great-grandson, and granddaughter.Bill is survived by his wife, Jackie Wintersteen, son, Paul (Sharon) Wintersteen and daughter, Christine Wintersteen (Dan Olds). His grandchildren, Alex Wintersteen (Abbie), Caroline Ginter (Kevin), Abby Nevius (Jeffrey), Benjamin and Abram Wintersteen as well as six great-grandchildren: Theo, Jackson, Henry, Nora, Nathan and soon-to-be-born baby boy Wintersteen. He is survived by his youngest brother, John Wintersteen, and was preceded in death by his parents, his supportive Uncle Harrison and Aunt Marianna Todd, brother, Edward Wintersteen, and sister, Mary Louise Cufetelli.The family would like to extend our sincere thanks to Age Well that facilitated the visits from Michael who became a good friend to Bill during his last year. Heartfelt thanks are also extended to the incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated UVM hospice palliative care team, and the very caring staff at Maple Ridge.Donations may be given to Benderson Family Heart Center, part of Boston’s Children’s Hospital where his granddaughter has received the very best in cardiac care.Read the story on VTDigger here: William Wintersteen.