Bill Wendt

1930 - 2018

Bill (Willis) Wendt
October 15, 1930 - December 8, 2018
Resident of Sunnyvale
Bill Wendt passed away peacefully in his Sunnyvale home on December 8, 2018 following a 12-year marathon battle with cancer. While receiving almost continuous treatments, he remained undaunted, and continued to pursue his passions for hunting, fishing and community service.
Bill was born October 15, 1930 and raised in Avoca, Iowa. He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Ferdinand Wendt & Leta Elizabeth Schuning Wendt, brothers Eugene, Robert, Clarence Jr. Wendt, sisters Inez Wendt Simpson, Marjorie Wendt Wilds, & Janice Wendt Martin. He is survived by sisters Lois Wendt Jacobsen (Dennis) of Hancock, IA, Marlene Petersen of Thornton, CO, Bev Knudtson (Walt) of Walnut, IA, and many nieces and nephews.
Bill joined the air force at the onset of the Korean War serving as a radar bombardier flying 73 missions and surviving two B29 plane crashes. He met his wife, Barbara Ann Yeager, while stationed at Castle Air Force Base in Merced, California. On December 7, 1953 (Pearl Harbor Day) Bill and Barbara began a marriage that lasted 44 years, until her death in 1999.
Following his discharge from the Air Force Bill earned a degree in engineering at Capitol Radio Engineering Institute in Washington DC in 1956. Bill and Barbara came to Sunnyvale in the early 60s, where he lived for over 50 years. He pursued a career in engineering, servicing computers and data systems, spending 25 years with Control Data Corporation and retiring from Picker International.
Bill was an avid sportsman, traveling extensively to hunt and fish in his motor home. He volunteered for over 30 years with the De Anza chapter of Ducks Unlimited, supporting wetlands conservation. In 2017 he received the DU Eagle Heart Award, recognizing the highest level of volunteer commitment.
His other sporting interests included over 35 years of membership at Birds Landing Hunting Preserve where he hunted pheasant, fished and made many lifelong friends. For 47 consecutive years, Bill made an annual sojourn to Iowa to visit family and friends that was highlighted by a class reunion, scheduled around his arrival. This trip was always capped off with a stop in Wyoming for the opening of antelope season.
Bill donated a great deal of time and energy to the Elks Lodge in Los Gatos as a trustee and active volunteer.
Bill lived life to the fullest, making an impact and building enduring friendships along the way. He and Barbara provided "pediatric care" for four lucky children (Sean Dunnigan, Matt Riemer, and Brendan and Megan Curran) and they, and their parents, became his Sunnyvale family.
A celebration of a full life is scheduled at the Sunnyvale Elks Lodge on Saturday, March 2nd at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the De Anza Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Cancer Care Point or the charity of your choice.


View the online memorial for Bill (Willis) Wendt