William G. "Jerry" Bende, Sr.

December 9, 1944 - May 25, 2022

William (Jerry) Bende, Sr. passed away May 25, 2022, at The James Cancer Hospital, comforted by the love of his family. Jerry was born December 9, 1944, in Steubenville, Ohio, to William and Dorathy (Cline) Bende. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Joyce Dotson and Gloria Zalewski and his beloved daughter Monica. Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Amelia (Millie) (Pegnalitti); devoted children Amy (Jim) Baker of Plain City and William (JJ) Jr. (Nicole) of Columbus; and his treasured grandchildren Madison, Cade, Amedeo, and Jersey. Jerry earned his bachelor of science degree from the College of Steubenville in 1968, and retired from AEP in 2010 where he worked as a senior cost analyst for 41 years. Above all else, Jerry loved his family. They came first, especially his grandkids. He would drop everything for them. Jerry most enjoyed the trips the entire family took all together and a good meal, especially feasting on crab with Millie on the Chesapeake Bay. All who knew him know that he was a generous man, a hard worker, and had the neatest, cleanest home, both inside and out. Besides traveling, he spent his retirement doing the things that brought him joy: relaxing with a good book, swimming with his grandkids, cleaning, and working in the yard. Friends and family may call on Tuesday, May 31, from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Rutherford Funeral Home at Powell, 450 Olentangy Street, Powell, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.