Col. Behrend was born September 20, 1928, in Giddings, Texas. Following graduation from San Angelo Texas High School, he joined the U.S. Navy and served for two years. In 1952, Col. Behrend graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans where he played for the Green Wave football team, winning the SEC championship in 1949.
He was a member of the Air Force ROTC, and after graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and traveled and lived all over the world. Col. Behrend was a pilot in the Strategic Air Command as aircraft commander of the B-47 jet bomber and later, the KC-135 tanker during the Cold War and the Vietnam War, where he flew numerous combat missions. Later, he became part of the administrative side of the Air Force. His last assignment was as Base Commander in Hakata, Japan.
Col. Behrend is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 66 years, Anne Hadley Behrend, whom he met when they were both students at Tulane, and by two children who were his great joy: Elizabeth Behrend Giguere (Paul) and William A. Behrend (Laura). Also surviving are nine grandchildren: Nicholas, Daniel and Timothy Giguere; Zachariah, Jacob, Emma and Michael Behrend; David Pollard; and Christie Montgomery; and one great-granddaughter, Trew Hadley Giguere.
In 2016 Col. Behrend and his wife, Anne, moved to Aldersgate Retirement Community in Charlotte. He died at Asbury Health and Rehabilitation Center at Aldersgate, where he was cared for by a dedicated and caring staff with the help and support of hospice.
A service to celebrate the life of Weldon Behrend will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 31, 2019 in the Aldersgate Chapel, with Rev. Karen Moore officiating.
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