William L. "Bill" Herndon

Herndon, William Leon “Bill”, 87, passed away January 4, 2024, in his home of 56 years in Wichita, Kansas. He was born March 2, 1936, the only child of Leonard and Relna (Nafziger) Herndon in Harper, Kansas.

As a child, he and his parents moved to Wichita where he graduated from East High School and earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Wichita State University.

On September 9, 1967, he was united in marriage to Carol (Metz) Herndon and to this union were born Mark W. and Cheryl L.

He began his career as a machinist at Boeing Aircraft Company, but later moved to Beechcraft where he retired as a Senior Engineer after 30 years of service. He was also enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve where he retired having attained the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer after 24 years of service.

Faith was very important to Bill. He was a member of Martinson Avenue Christian Church where he and his family attended regularly and later Glenn Park Christian Church. He served in church leadership at various times as an Elder, a Board member, and a Trustee. He was a Master Mason at Sunflower Lodge #86 AF & AM, a member of the Scottish Rite, and a Shriner in the Midian Shrine.

Education was extremely important to Bill, and he labored many long nights assisting his children with homework, especially math. He was active in Boy Scouts as a scout and later as an adult leader in Troop 832. While encouraging his son to complete the rank of Eagle, they had the opportunity to backpack at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

Bill enjoyed travel, making regular trips to the lake for camping and boating. Bill and his wife Carol had the goal of visiting all 50 states which they completed in the company of their daughter and her family in 2019 with a trip to Hawaii.

Bill will be remembered as a quiet, tender-hearted man who loved life, would do anything for anyone, and placed his wife and family above all else.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson Isaac Herndon.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Mark Herndon (Jennifer), Cheryl Busada (Andrew); and grandchildren, Adam (Katlyn Cox), Caleb, Kaylee, and Courtney Herndon, Olivia and Jessica Busada.

Visitation with family 5:00-7:00 pm, Tuesday January 9, 2024, at Resthaven Mortuary. Funeral service 10:00 am, Wednesday January 10, 2024, at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 1550 N. Chapel Hill Dr., Wichita, Kansas 67206. Interment to follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Specialized Home Care & Hospice and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Share condolences at www.DignityMemorials.com.