Bill Wenzlaff

William "Bill" Frederic Wenzlaff, 90, passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Bill was born at Fort Robinson, Nebraska on October 21, 1933 to parents, Theodore Charles and Frieda Wenzlaff. Due to his father's military career Bill moved often as a child, but graduated high school from Indiana University High School in 1951. Bill would then graduate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1956 with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1963 he would receive his master's degree from Wichita State University, also in mechanical engineering.

Bill was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers in 1956. He would retire from the US Army Reserve in 1986 with the rank of colonel. For the three years prior to the end of his service, Col. Wenzlaff served as the liaison officer for the United States Military Academy at West Point.

After completion of his military duty in 1957, Bill accepted a position as Flight Test Engineer with Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita. In 1958 he accepted a position at Boeing in the Flight Test Department, and twenty one years later he accepted the position as manager of the Flight Data Systems Department at Cessna. A position he held until his retirement in 2000.

In his retirement, Bill was active in the East Wichita Shepherd's Center. He had a passion for bass fishing, and enjoyed taking up golf, woodcarving, and writing his memoirs, which he would give to his grandchildren. It also must be mentioned that Bill was an avid Nebraska Cornhuskers fan, and he attended most of their home football games since 1962.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Frieda Wenzlaff; daughters, Gretchen Wenzlaff, and Catherine Granell; and sisters, Marianne Zinnecker, and Katherine Brockhaus. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sondra Wenzlaff; sons, Chris (Belinda) Wenzlaff, and Greg (Kelley) Wenzlaff; son-in-law, Eric Granell; brothers-in-law, Bud Zinnecker, and Jim Brockhaus; 8 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

Memorial service honoring Bill's life will be at 2:00pm, Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas. To share condolences please visit www.cozine.com. Services by Cozine Memorial Group - Cozine Life Events Center.