Amos Harry Wenner

Amos HARRY (Bigfoot) Wenner departed this life on May 16, 2024, at the age of 84 from pneumonia.

He was born in Berwick, PA September 11, 1939, to Leona (Boudman) and Leroy BOUNCE McHenry Wenner. Harry lived in Columbia County for 80 years until chronic health issues caused him to move to West Virginia with his son Keith and daughter-in-law Jennifer.

He graduated from Scott School in Espy where he is in the Scott/Central Columbia Athletic Hall of Fame for soccer. He drag-raced at Numidia Dragway. He followed in his father’s footsteps as a baseball player and pitched so well that he was recruited by the Philadelphia Phillies until an injury cut short his career. He was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, and he was an avid outdoorsman who continued to enjoy hunting and fishing until his death.

Harry was known as Chief Bigfoot in the Huntington Valley Fire Department, where, as Chief he served with his wife Joyce and stepson Charlie Rider. He was a life member of the Benton Volunteer Fire Company, serving the community for over 40 years, a Forest Fire Warden for over 50 years, and a Pennsylvania Arson Inspector. He was a trainer for the fire department and taught many civilians fire safety and CPR.

Harry worked with his father at the Wenner & Sons Butcher Shop, even after taking jobs at Bernal Plastics, managing the SKAT gas station, working at Wayne Knorr Construction, and finding his calling at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, helping build the Eisenhower Highway System in PA, plowing snow throughout the state and training countless state road employees in the art of heavy equipment operations.  He continued to butcher in his spare time with his cousin Davy Brown in Stillwater and his son Keith in WV.

Harry is survived by his siblings Edward Anthony Hilscher and wife Linda of Towanda PA , Jeanette Louis Moyer and husband Bob of Shawnee on Delaware, Thomas A. Wenner and wife Judy of Benton PA, Roger D. Wenner and wife Diane of Little River SC, Daniel Leslie Wenner and wife Wendy of Loris SC, his son Keith Harry Wenner and wife Jennifer of Glenville WV, granddaughter Kethina L. Thomas and husband Jason of Yorktown VA, his stepchildren Michael R. Anderson and wife Cathy of Carlisle PA, Patti Jo Bonson and husband Timothy of Coburn PA, 14 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren.   

Harry was preceded in death by his mother Leona, father Bounce, and stepmother Ethel Elvira (Hilscher), his brother Harold L. Wenner, his wife of 46 years Caroline Joyce Wenner, and his stepchildren David Lee Rider, Charles J. Rider, and Kay (Rider) Russell.

In accordance with Harry’s wishes, there will be a viewing on Wednesday, May 22nd from 4 to 7 PM at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., 4394 Red Rock Road, Benton. Harry's remains will be interred Saturday, July 27th, at 11:30 AM at St. James Cemetery, Bendertown with a Celebration of Life to follow at the Benton Fire Hall from 1 to 5 pm.  In lieu of flowers, please remember Harry with donations to your local fire department. The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton is honored to serve the Wenner Family.  For online condolences or for additional information, please visit our website:  www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Amos Harry Wenner, please visit our floral store.