Bob Winters

Bob Winters passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on March 4th, 2023 at the age of 87. He was born on September 25, 1935 in Greeley, Colorado to Reuben and Lena Winters. For a short time they lived in Wyoming and then California working to provide for the family during World War II. In California, near the shipyards he had his first job as a paperboy. Besides the many songs he loved to sing around the house, later in life he would also shout out every once in awhile “Examiner Times Paypa” (paper) in reference to this job. After the war was over Reuben and Lena moved the family to a farm in White Swan, Washington.

Bob was the oldest of seven children, he had 3 brothers and 3 sisters. He loved sports! He participated in Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track, and one of his favorites was Boxing. Bob graduated from White Swan High School in 1953.

After graduating from high school, he attended Yakima Junior College in 1954 and participated in football, basketball and baseball. He received the football inspirational award in 1955 and All-Conference honors. Bob then transferred to Utah State with a football scholarship after the 1955 season.

As a football quarterback at Utah State University, Winters received All-American mention in 1957 and won the USU most valuable player award. His achievements that year included national rankings of fourth in passing and third in total offense. In 1956 he was the All-Skyline Conference QB and also third in the nation in total offense. On the side he still loved to box. His senior year he was the heavyweight intramural champion, knocking out one of his good friends.

After college, Winters was drafted by the Cleveland Browns but began his football career playing with the B.C. Lions in the Canadian League. After that season, he was drafted into the Army. In between this time Bob and Maurine were married on November 8th, 1958. He served in the Army for two years and after, the Pittsburgh Steelers offered Bob a try-out. He practiced with the team for four weeks. It was quarterback or bust for him. The Steelers offered to keep him on as a linebacker but Winters chose to enter the profession of teaching and coaching. He got a job at Moniteau High School in Pennsylvania in 1961 and was there for two years.

Bob and Maurine then decided to move back to Washington state closer to family with their two young children, Marie and Rock. He landed a teaching and coaching position at Toppenish High School. He taught various subjects including physical education, history, and drivers education. He was the head coach of several sports during this career including, football, basketball, baseball, and wrestling for the Wildcats. They later added three more children to the crew, Rick, Randy and Mindi. Winters continued to be the head football coach the majority of his career at Top-Hi. He had many successful seasons, culminating with a Class A State Football Championship in 1989. During his career, many students and athletes endearingly referred to him as “Bobcat”. He also loved to give them nicknames he felt empowered them on the field too. He and Coach Frank Steele formed a strong duo on the field, in the gym and in the weight room. He loved his coaches, players, teams, and was well known for many Wildcat traditions including a prayer circle after every game with the team and community. During these busy years of teaching and coaching, Winters also had a hay-hauling business he would run during the summers for local farmers with his three sons. Whether it was in the classroom, gym, on the football or hay field, Bob exemplified relentless hard work, endurance, commitment, loyalty and integrity. He had high expectations for himself and knew how to get the best out of those around him. He retired from coaching after the 1992 season, and then from teaching in 1995. He will always be a Wildcat.

Bob was inducted into the Yakima Valley College Hall of Fame in 1984. He was also inducted into the Washington State Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1993 and the North West Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2009, the Toppenish High School football field was dedicated and named the Bob Winters Field. He felt humbled and grateful for these honors.

After retirement Bob and Maurine served two missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He loved sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. During retirement Bob and Maurine enjoyed traveling, spending time with friends, and serving in different callings for the church. Bob loved playing, coaching, and watching sports all of his life but his greatest joy came from time spent with his wife, Maurine and following his five children, twenty-one grandchildren, and currently twenty great-grandchildren.

During retirement Bob and Maurine resided in Zillah, Washington, Salt Lake City, Utah and St. George, Utah before returning to live in Zillah again just recently.

Our patriarch of the family who led by example with faith, toughness, love and compassion will be greatly missed.

He is preceded into Heaven by his parents, Reuben and Lena Winters; his siblings, Shirley Winters, Ralph Winters and Leroy Winters.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Maurine (Ellett) Winters; children, Marie (Jay) Adams, Rock (Jackie) Winters, Rick (JaLynne) Winters, Randy Winters, and Mindi (Kody) Dribnak; grandchildren, Rocky Adams, Greg (Heidi) Adams, Staci (Chad) Larsen, Mark (Chelsie) Winters, Mitch (Marelise) Winters, Whitney (Tanner) Lenon, Natalie (Devin) Jenkins, Beau (Josie) Winters, Alli Winters, Ben (Maria) Winters, Brayden Winters, Desiree Winters, Melia (Ross) Knutson, David Winters, Eliott Winters, Sarianne Winters, Gavin Dribnak, Zoe Dribnak, Kya Dribnak, Tate Dribnak, and Brody Dribnak; brother Darrell (Patty) Winters, sisters Norma (Todd) Baker, and Ruby Winters; several great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

There will be a memorial funeral service on Saturday, March 25th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1:00pm in Zillah, Washington. Following the service, the family has invited all to attend a community picture event at the Bob Winters Field.

Burial will be in the Bicknell Utah Cemetery on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.