William "Bill" Wendt

William “Bill” Douglas Wendt passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 22, 2015 from complications of Hutington’s disease. He was surrounded by his family.

Bill was born in Santa Rosa, California on October 18, 1929 to William and Sallie Wendt.

The family moved to Napa when Bill was nine years old. He attended intermediate school on Jefferson Street, then Napa High School, where he played the drums in the Napa High School Marching Band. it was there he met his future wife, Betha Cilley, who was majorette in the Napa High School Marching Band.

Bill was drafted into the Army in 1951 and served two years in Korea as a metal body repairman, a trade he learned from watching his father, who owned an auto repair shop in Santa Rosa. After serving in Korea he returned to Napa and married Betha Cilley on September 13, 1953.

Bill worked for the State of California’s Cal Trans Division for many years and retired in 1990.

Some of his hobbies included riding his bike, walking and Ham radios. He was a member of the Ham Radio Society for many years. He taught Morse code classes and volunteered his time toward the Toy Modification Program for special needs children. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren in their many sporting events. He also loved traveling and working as a motorcycle mechanic for his son-in-law, who raced speedway motorcycles. He was Napa Speedway’s biggest fan.

Bill was predeceased by his parents and sister Evelyn.

Bill leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Betha; sister Betty Meinecke of Arizona; three daughters, Pamela (Dennis) Robinson, Terri (Alan) Organ and Lisa (David) Lewis; and six grandchildren, Donny (Tiffany) Robinson, Starla Robinson, Ryan, Cody and Chad Organ and Kaitlyn Lewis.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Piner’s Nursing Home for the kind and compassionate care he received, and Blize Hospice for their kind and compassionate care as well.

Bill requested there be no public service.

Words of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.TulocayCememtery.org.

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