William L. Winterbauer II

William Lawrence Winterbauer II, was born January 12, 1935, and died April 8, 2025, (90 yrs). He was the eldest son of William L. Winterbauer and Mary (Brennan) Winterbauer. They resided on a farm near Fancy Prairie, IL.

William went to the Winterbauer grade school (a one room country school) and then Fancy Prairie grade school and Athens High School. He matriculated at Bradley University graduating cum laude in 1957 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He continued his education at the University of IL with a Masters in 1962 and finally a PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 1968. He was one of the first to work in the field of computer aided design.

William was proud to be a Marine and served from 1954 until 1963. He did his recruit training in San Diego and combat training in at Camp Pendleton, CA.

He always said upon meeting his future wife, Katherine Mary Burke, he was smitten. They were married on June 5, 1960, and it was a wonderful 65 years. They had 5 children, 6 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

From 1967 to 2003 he worked for Ingersoll Milling Machine Co in a variety of positions including Chief Engineer. While at Ingersoll he travelled the world designing small machines for things like nuclear submarines to huge machines bigger than a baseball field for hydroelectric dams. He was known as one of the foremost authorities in the field of hydraulics in the world.

Thereafter he was self-employed as owner of QED Services Co., an engineering consulting company.

A resident of Rockford since 1967, William was predeceased by parents, brothers John and Matthew and beloved granddaughter Eliana Marie Winterbauer. He is survived by wife Katherine and children Theresa Winterbauer, Susan Winterbauer, William Winterbauer III, Katherine Robb and Eric Winterbauer, grandchildren Adam and Brennan (Ashley) Winterbauer and Jared, Ashley and Angela Robb, great-grandchildren William IV, Brennan, and Isaac Winterbauer, and several nieces and nephews.

He was a brilliant, steadfast, and honorable man who was dearly loved by his family. We will miss him every day.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 9:30 through 10:00 a.m.

Traditional Latin Requiem Mass on Wednesday, April 16th, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary's Oratory, Reverend O'Connor presiding.

Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Lincoln IL.