Lester Joseph Wenk, 80, of Bay City, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025, after a brief illness. Les (as he was known by family and friends) was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1944, to the late Lester Emile Wenk and Eleanor Battle Wenk.

Les grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he graduated from Jesuit High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Louisiana Tech University. After college, Les joined the Uniroyal Chemical Company as a process and management engineer. In 1977 he moved to Bay City where he worked more than twenty-five years for Celanese in various engineering roles; the last of which was Senior Environmental Engineer. At the end of 2002, Les retired from Celanese with the respect of colleagues and friends alike.

Upon leaving the corporate world, Les went on to serve as a substitute math, physics, and chemistry teacher at the Bay City ISD. Twenty years later, he moved on to volunteer at the Bay City Regional Medical Center. When not in the classroom or the Med Center, Les could probably be found at Holy Cross Catholic Church. His unwavering commitment to the Church was both tireless and steadfast. As a proud member of the Knights of Columbus, he rose to the esteemed rank of Fourth Degree Knight. Over the years, he faithfully served as Comptroller for nineteen years and held the position of Faithful Navigator for one term. He leaves behind a legacy of deep faith, leadership, and service to the Church.

Les is survived by his loving wife, Sara Beth Knox Wenk; her son Bryan Hill (Melodie), his sister Donna Gail Tyson (Robert), granddaughter Angie Marie Persick Conlon (Patrick), grandson Kevin Persick, granddaughter Laura Ann Hill Clark (Donnie) and 4 great grandsons Ethan, Aaron, Kade, and Cole.  Les was preceded in death by Sara's daughter, Janet Hill Persick; granddaughter Holly D'Ann Hill; and his parents.

Visitation will be held at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, where a Rosary will follow at 6:00 PM. A Funeral Mass, celebrated by Rev. Stephen Vacek, will take place at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, with interment to follow at Cedarvale North Cemetery.

The extended Wenk family extends heartfelt thanks to Les's caregivers, especially the nurses and doctors at the Bay City Regional Medical Center who worked to make him as comfortable as possible.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bay City or a charity of your choosing.