William Wenger

William “Bill” Wenger, 92, of Twinsburg, Ohio, passed peacefully with his loving family at his side on April 16, 2022.  Bill was born on November 9, 1929 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the youngest child of Adolf and Francis (Walraff) Wenger.  He attended Mechanic Arts High School and was a graduate of the University of Minnesota, earning his degree in Metallurgical Engineering in 1952. He later earned his MBA from Kent State University.  Bill married Virginia ”Ginny” Mae Ziehl in June 1952 and together they raised 5 children.  After college, Bill served in the Army, stationed in Washington, D.C. and El Paso, Texas and then began his career as an Engineer and Salesman.   He was a 70 year honored Master Mason, as well as a member of the Knights Templar, the Shriners and the American Legion.

Bill and Ginny lived in Alton, Illinois during the 50s and 60s, enjoying time boating at Lake of the Ozarks with friends and starting their family with the birth of 2 daughters and a son there.  Bill’s career took the family to Reading, Pennsylvania in the late 60s and early 70s, completing their family with the birth of a daughter and son.  They enjoyed weekend camping trips to the beach in Sea Ilse City, New Jersey, as well as site seeing adventures in Washington, D.C.  In 1973 the family relocated to the Cleveland area, settling in Mayfield Village.  Bill and Ginny’s love of boating and weekend adventures lead the family to Berlin Lake, camping at first and then to a small cottage they found on a beautiful bluff overlooking the main channel of the Mahoning River.  Mom and Dad spent many happy days there, enjoying the water, their children and eventually grandchildren.  Bill could teach almost anyone to waterski, cooked many fabulous dinners on the grill, and always had enough wood on hand for a campfire and s’mores in the evening. After retirement, Bill and Ginny spent many winters in Arizona, visiting family there, and enjoying the sunshine and break from Cleveland winters.   In later years, Bill was devoted to and cared lovingly for Ginny as her health declined.   

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Ginny, his parents, brother Bob, sisters Trudy and Rita, and granddaughter Elise.  He is survived his children Debra (Duane) Kunze, Kathryn (Bill) Wenger, Bill (Lorrie) Wenger, Amy Mohr, and Ted (Melyna) Wenger, grandchildren Valerie, Scott, Lisa, Brannen, Eric, Aaron, Joshua, Shawn, Daniel, Abigail, Caleb, Hannah, Nathan, Sarah Katherine, Benjamin and William, and great grandchildren Nia, Lily and Eli.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who truly loved their uncle Bill.

Services will be private.  The family requests any donations to Doctors Without Borders in memory of Bill Wenger.