Wilfred Wondra

Wilfred Joseph Wondra

October 20, 1931 – July 27, 2026

Wilfred “Will” Wondra, 94, a longtime resident of the Waco area, passed away peacefully on July 27th at Grand Brook Memory Care in McKinney, Texas.

Will was born on October 20, 1931, in Hoisington, Kansas, to Fred and Eleanor Wondra. He was raised just outside town, working on the family farm and attending Hoisington schools as time allowed.

After earning his GED, Will served his country as a corporal in the Army, working on heavy artillery at the Hanford Site in Washington State during the Korean Conflict. After serving, he went on to spend about 40 years as a commercial electrician, a career that took him across the country working on many hotels, hospitals and shopping malls.

It was his electrical work that eventually brought him to Waco, Texas, where he worked on many local buildings, including the Lake Air Mall. He met the love of his life, Linda, at Westview Lanes and they were married in 1962. Together they enjoyed bowling and boating, and before long they established a home and raised a family in the Waco area. They made a great team in many things but especially in gardening - Will did the growing, and Linda did the canning and cooking. After retirement, the two of them hit the road in their RV, traveling across the country for weeks at a time, hiking and bird watching along the way.

Will was also known as a true Mr. Fix-it — if you had a problem, he had a solution. He loved a good game of cards, especially when he was winning, and he enjoyed hunting and fishing whenever he had the chance. More than anything, he loved being surrounded by family, especially his grandchildren. He shared a very special bond with his only granddaughter, Ellen. Wherever he went, Will was always ready to strike up a conversation with friends, neighbors, or anyone he met along the way.

Will is survived by his wife, Linda; his sons Wayne & wife Dawn and Brian & wife Kristi; his grandchildren Camden Jones, Austin & wife Madison, Aaron & wife Cierra, Dawson, and Eleanor “Ellen”; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Eleanor, and his siblings, Robert “Bob” Wondra, Pauline Mater, Leona Elliot, and Elizabeth Woydziak and Rita MacDonald.

Services to be held on August 3rd, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. at Waco Memorial Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Waco Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Christian Relief Fund of Amarillo, Texas, or to an Alzheimer’s Association of your choice.

He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.