Marvin "Bill" Wenger
1927 - 2015 | Obituary
Marvin "Bill" Wenger, 88,
owner of Wenger Oil, Inc., died Sunday, June 21, 2015. Burial will
take place at Greenwood Cemetery at 9am Thursday followed by a
memorial service at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church at
10:30am. A meal will follow the service at the Church. Bill was born
on April 6, 1927, in Moundridge, Kansas to Conrad and Anna (Becker)
Wenger. He married Naomi Nichols on November 14, 1948. He is survived
by his wife and four children: Steven Wenger of North Newton, Kansas;
Joan Brubacher (Michael) of Scottsdale, Arizona; Melanie Wenger
(David Flynn) of Annapolis, Maryland; and Denise Matthews (Harry) of
Olathe, Kansas. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Jaimee
Grisoni (Thomas), Lauren Brubacher, Kelsey Matthews, Justin Matthews
and three great-grandchildren, Lucas, Gabriela, and Luciana Grisoni.
Bill was one of ten children and is survived by three, Herby Wenger
of Newton, Kansas and Ruby Smith and Della Schmidt, both of
Montezuma, Kansas.
After marrying Naomi, the young couple
lived in Hesston, Kansas and initially farmed a parcel of ground in
western Kansas. Bill simultaneously worked for Hesston Corporation as
a truck driver. In 1954, he accepted a job as an agent for Standard
Oil Company of Indiana. He capitalized on that experience and bought
the business from Standard Oil some 20 years later. That business,
Wenger Oil, Inc., expanded with the purchase of the Standard Oil Farm
Center at the corner of Highway 81 and Anderson Road, located next to
the Wenger Oil office. In later years, the Company grew again with
the acquisition of a second distributorship in Pratt, Kansas and the
creation of a chain of convenience stores, the Wen's One Corporation.
During this time, Bill also personally accumulated various parcels of
real estate located across Kansas and Missouri. Wenger Oil is still
in existence today.
In addition to Bill's professional
life, he held seats on a number of boards and commissions, including
the Kansas Oil Marketers Association and the Halstead Hospital. Bill
was also a strong supporter of the Carriage Factory Art Gallery,
along with Naomi, who was a Board member for many years and still
serves in an ex officio capacity. Bill is a member of Trinity Heights
United Methodist Church.
Bill's business successes were
attributed to a strong work ethic and business acumen. He understood
the value of community and supported many local initiatives
throughout his life. He also served as an example and mentor to a
number of younger businessmen.
Bill's first love was his wife and
family. His second was his work. His family will remember him not
only for the love and care he provided them, but also for his
wonderful sense of humor, which he shared with his friends and
business associates alike.
A visitation at Petersen's Funeral home
in Newton will take place Wednesday evening from 5:00 – 9:00 pm,
with the family in attendance from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. The family
suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association and
Trinity Heights United Methodist Church, in care of Petersen's
Funeral Home. Alzheimer's Association donations may also be made
online at alz.org.
Published in The Kansan on June 24,
2015
