Born in Helena, Montana, Winter moved to Kansas City, Missouri at an early age.
He became a baker, and joined the Bakery and Confectionery Workers International Union of America.
[1] In 1957, the Bakery Workers union split over allegations of corruption by its president, James G. Cross.
Winter argued that the allegations should be investigated, but had not been correctly raised with the union executive or conference.
[2] However, Curtis Sims counterclaimed that Winter had advised him not to raise the allegations, as he believed that he could not win over a majority of the executive.