Leslie Dilce Wendler

Longtime teacher Leslie Dilce Wendler passed away March 29, 2014. He was born in Walla Walla to Bess (Cantonwine) and Dilce Wendler. Les met his wife, Nadine Taylor, when they were at Walla Walla High School. They were married June 13, 1948, and were married 66 years.

Leslie served as a navigator in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. A graduate of Whitman College, Les began his teaching career at Pioneer Junior High and later transferred to Garrison, where he taught until retiring. He loved to coach and remembered the names of many of the students on the football and basketball teams.

His other passion during those years was golf, recording 10 hole-in-ones. Les also enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, traveling internationally with his wife and taking bus tours with his family. He was a regular at the Tuesday Senior Center bridge group and at the Elk’s snooker table with his friends, Wayne Smith and Chuck Ossenkop, and his son, Greg. Les was a member of the Walla Walla Presbyterian Church.

Les was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Ruth Schroeder and Shirley Wendler. He is survived by his wife at home; his daughter, Marcia of Walla Walla; sons, Greg of Kennewick and Robert (Nancy) of Sandy, Utah; grandsons, Scott (Alisha) of Utah, Craig (Darci), Austin and granddaughter, Rachelle Welch (Michael) of Boise; great-grandchildren, Tyden, Genevieve Lynn and Ainsley of Utah.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Walla Walla Senior Citizens Center, or First Presbyterian Church through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362.

Services will be Monday, April 7, 2014, at 1 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.