William Van Winkle, 92, passed peacefully July 24, 2026, at home in Little Silver.
Bill was born July 3, 1934, in Englewood, to Helen Wescott and Marshall Van Winkle Jr. He graduated from The Rumson Country Day School, Newark Academy and Lehigh University with degrees in mechanical engineering and business.
Bill married Beverly Elsie Peterson in 1956; they would have celebrated their 70th anniversary in September. Theirs was an extraordinary partnership filled with love, adventure and family.
Bill’s favorite pastime was boats, both racing and cruising, competing in five Newport to Bermuda races, which inducted him into The Gulf Stream Society. Bill was self-taught at celestial navigation using a handheld sextant.
Next to his family, Bill loved his boats, which he maintained meticulously. Upon purchasing his Sanderling catboat “Whimsy,” he sailed from South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, to his Little Silver home via the East River. He had way too many adventures to mention on his Bayliner “Endless Summer,” including the Canada to Key West “odyssey” with Beverly and his Coastal 27 “Prime Time,” which he would take to Boca Grande, Florida, in the winter.
Bill loved not only the sea but also the wind and sky. In his early years, he would fly his plane from New Jersey to Florida, navigating by the iron compass (following the railroad tracks). With Beverly accompanying him on these trips and hand-turning the propeller to start the engine, he realized she was a keeper.
Bill enjoyed the stars, looking at all of the constellations on a clear night and, more importantly, sharing his excitement about them. Never one for a dull moment, Bill chose to celebrate his 70th birthday by skydiving.
Bill and Beverly enjoyed many years of travel together and took numerous trips throughout the continental United States and the world. Bill loved making memories with his family and friends; this included ski trips to Vermont, sailboat charters on the Chesapeake, winters in Boca Grande, and anniversary cruises. Very proud of his Dutch heritage, Bill took his family to Holland to visit the town of Winkel.
After college graduation and his wedding to Beverly, Bill was excited to begin his career with Procter & Gamble, relocating with his growing family to Macon, Georgia; Overland Park, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri; Palos Verdes, California; and Indian Hills, Ohio, making lifelong friends along the way. They eventually settled back in Little Silver.
In 1978, Bill began a new career as a financial professional with New York Life, founded his own firm, Van Winkle Associates, and remained in the industry for 47 years. Always curious with a thirst for knowledge, Bill obtained a master’s degree in financial services from the American College and became a Certified Financial Planner. He received numerous industry and company accolades during his distinguished career.
Active in the community and giving of his time, Bill served as a board member of The Rumson-Fair Haven Bank; president of The Holland Society of New York; president of The Brookdale College Foundation; trustee at the Monmouth County Conservation Foundation; and trustee of the Visiting Nurse Association. Bill was a past commodore and life member of the Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht Club, and a past commodore of The North Jersey Yacht Racing Association. He was a member of Seabright Beach Club and Navesink Country Club. Bill was a communicant at St. John’s Episcopal Church and was a chalice bearer and usher for many years.
Above all, Bill was a true “people” person – he loved talking with everyone he met. His daily morning read of The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Asbury Park Press from cover to cover resulted in handpicked articles with the recipient’s name written on top. Bill delivered these personally or mailed them immediately with a note. This way of connecting with others was something Bill enjoyed into his golden years.
Bill will be cherished and remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and dear friend to so many.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly Peterson Van Winkle; his three children, Stuart Van Winkle (Gail), Ainsley Van Winkle Hilfiker (Rick), and Carrie Van Winkle White (Craig Weisbecker); and his grandchildren, Kendall Van Winkle Radmann (Rich), Ainsley E. Hilfiker Smith (Jack), Will Hilfiker, Margot White, Harris Hilfiker and Catherine White.
The family wishes to thank Bill’s caregivers, Megi and Marie, for their compassion and dedication.
Arrangements will be announced at a later date. Those wishing to honor Bill’s memory may make a donation to Holiday Express at holidayexpress.org or the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey at vnachc.org.
Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the August 6 – 12, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
