Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Winter received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1942 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1944.

His service terminated on June 27, 1966, due to elevation to the Fourth Circuit.

[1] On June 13, 1966, Winter was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to a new seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit created by 80 Stat.

Winter was confirmed by the Senate on June 24, 1966, and received his commission the same day.

He served both as Chief Judge and as a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States from 1981 to 1989, assuming senior status on January 1, 1990.