Born in Winnipeg, William Winter (1909-1995) studied at the Winnipeg School of Art under L.L. Fitzgerald, Franz Johnston, and others, then spent many years in Toronto. During his career he was a member of the Royal Canadian Academy, The Canadian Group of Painters, The Ontario Society of Artists, and The Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour. Described as a romantic painter of town and city life, he was always very happy with the subject of people in their ordinary pursuits, with a particular interest in children and the ballet. His paintings have been acquired by The National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Toronto, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the National Gallery in Auckland, New Zealand, as well as many private collectors.
Winter painted murals for the Oshawa Public Library, The Canadian Pacific Railway, and The Standard Iron and Steel Company of Toronto. He also created the painting of the City of Winnipeg for the Seagram Collection.