Wendt, William David passed away Friday, January 15, 2016 at the age of 83. He was a long time resident of the County of Grande Prairie. Bill was born at Crooked Creek, Alberta July 31, 1932 at his Mother’s homestead. Bill was always involved with horses from early teens to late in life. He began riding his saddle horses around the country buying horses of all kinds to sell to horse buyers. When he became older, his father sent him to the bush in the winter operating his fathers’ cats, ploughing cutlines for oil companies as far north as Fort McMurray. In spring, he did his own farming along with helping his father putting in his crops. He brushed land for farmers east and north across the Smokey River to south of Valleyview, north to TeePee Creek area and also in the Grande Prairie district. He was a member of the NRA as well as a gold card life member in the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. Bill and his family raised registered quarter horses having at one time one hundred head. In between farming, haying, raising cattle and sheep, he also had a feed-lot cleaning business in the Valleyview, Dawson Creek and Fairview areas. During hunting season, he guided American hunters. Bill founded the Grande Prairie Roping Club which was held in the old Westwind Stables. On December 7, 1962, Bill married Marjorie Porter. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, stepson Rod Porter; step daughter Leslie Palmu (Joe); son Cameron Wendt, grandchildren Cole, Katie, David (Bernadette), Shana (Liam), Taylor and Tyrone, one great-granddaughter, Marlo; brother-in-law Dennis; sisters: Dorothy, Carol, Helen and Barb, brothers: Doug and Ted and numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to PARDS, 8202 -84th Street, Grande Prairie, AB, T8X 0L6. Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home (780) 830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com