Otto "Bill" W. Wendel

Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee announces memorial services for Dr. Otto William Wendel, nicknamed "Dr. Bill", age 84, of Hiawassee, who passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2015 in Clay County Care Center in Hayesville, North Carolina.

Dr. Otto William (Bill) Wendel, 84, passed away Sunday, April 26, 2015 at Clay County Care Center in Hayesville, NC after a long illness. He was born in Cicero, IL to the late Otto William Wendel and Isabelle Mary Atkinson Wendel. He is survived by his wife, Edie Henry Aperauch Wendel; three sons, Mark Allen Bronston,, Chris (Lynda) Wendel, and Tony (Kathy) Ferrebee; and one daughter, Erica Wendel Oglesby; stepson Rex Aperauch; Grandchildren: Alexandria Bronston; Chris Wendel, Jr.; Ashley, Anthony, Lauren, and Ashley Ferrebee; Zack, Aaron, Alexander and Sarah Aperauch; Great Grandchildren: Brayden, McKenna, Bryce and Cole Aperauch.

Dr. Bill joined the U. S. Army at the age of 14 during WWII, being recalled by his mother when she found out what he'd done, only to re-enlist when he reached legal age. He was an army medic and wanted to become a doctor with the U. S. Coast Guard. Upon discharge from the Army he learned that the medical wing of the U.S. Coast Guard was provided by the U. S. Public Health Service, and enlisted there in Washington, DC to earn his primary PhD in biochemistry. Dr. Bill was a high achiever as a rear Admiral with the USPHS. After leaving the USPHS and a career in Washington, knowing several presidents and working with their medical staff and serving as medical consultant on several military missions, he then became a college teacher. He also earned a ScD (Doctor of Science) degree and worked for a number of laboratories and several hospitals. He worked with several other chemists on a chemical fire retardant, doing experiments with the Towns County Fire Department several years ago. During his long professional career as a scientist he worked with many notable scientists, including Dr. Jack Kevorkian.
Dr. Wendel was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 1, 1931, a son of the late Otto W. Wendel and the late Isabelle Atkinson Wendel. He was a biochemist and worked for the U.S. Dept. of Public Health.

Memorial services have been scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., to be held in the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee.

If you wish, memorial contributions may be made to Towns County Fire Corps, P.O. Box 118, Hiawassee, GA 30546 or to U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary FL-23 FSO/FN, 4822 Itsey Trail, Hiawassee, GA 30546.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee. Please share your condolences and fond memories with the family on our website, cochranfuneralhomes.com.