William J. Wend, 81, of Lebanon, quietly left his earthly home and stepped into eternity on Saturday. He was born in Rensselaer, New York to Joseph and Delores (Moxon) Wend.

In life, he was a design engineer, and, during the pinnacle of his career, he helped design the lunar landing gear for the Apollo program.

He was a great Bible teacher and loved God with his whole heart. He has left a crater-sized hole in our lives. So we fix our eyes, not on what is seen, which is temporary, but on what is unseen, which is eternal. We fix our eyes on Jesus!

Besides his family and friends, he is survived by his ranch; in his eyes, the most beautiful place on earth.

William is survived by: his wife Loretta; son Mark; daughters Paula and Cheryl; sons-in-law Dean and Earl; grandchildren Samantha, Christian, Caden, Kelsen, Earl, Cameron, and Christa; great granddaughter Londyn; sisters Jean, Marilyn, Carol-Anne, and Sharon; close friends Fred, Gill, Pastor Mark, Bobby, Glen, and Farmer John.

Celebration of life for family and friends to be announced later this summer at the Wend Ranch.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.