Remembering – and Celebrating – Bill Winsor

Bill Winsor, chairman emeritus of the Dallas Market Center, was instrumental in creating the first Nearshoring America Expo.  

At a special memorial Celebration of Life on the eve of the winter Dallas Total Gift and Home Market earlier this month, Bill Winsor’s life was remembered among several hundred of his friends, family and those who knew him through business. They paid tribute to a remarkable life that was capped off with the creation of the first Nearshoring America Expo in December of 2024.

Bill, 78, passed away on December 15 following a brief illness but for more than 30 years he was the CEO of the Dallas Market Center until stepping back in 2015 and becoming chairman emeritus. In that role he remained active in the business including the start of the Nearshoring event.

Cindy Morris, current CEO of the market center and Bill’s successor, wrote of her long relationship with the man she called her colleague, her mentor and her friend. “While I have had supportive relationships during my work life there was no one more important than Bill Winsor.

“Bill and I worked together for 32 years, and he was not only an amazing executive for the company but an inspiring mentor for many of us. Bill’s calm demeanor was a trait we envied. His sales and negotiating skills were another characteristic that made him so unique.  But his interests outside of work including history, woodworking, authoring two books on Texas history and antique shopping provided a great balance to this larger-than-life man.”

Morris said, “ I can honestly say that our company is better today because of Bill Winsor, the people who knew him are better for having known him, and I am a better leader.”  

He is survived by his wife Kathleen, sons Kelly and Mark and their families including three grandchildren. Bill was an animal lover and the family has requested that any donations be made in his name to the Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals.