Bill was born August 31, 1942 in San Francisco, California to the late Wells Earl Hendren and Jacqueline Bliss Neilsen Hendren.  He attended Santa Cruz High School and served in the US Navy.  He worked as an automotive machinist and racing engine builder for most of his life and owned and operated Hendren Racing Engine and Chassis Inc. with his sons.  Bill’s talent and passion for Drag Racing and Circle Track Racing led him to become an icon and innovator in the building of racing engines.  He was highly respected among his peers in the Racing Industry, having been given the prestigious NASCAR Golden Wrench Award in the years of 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993 for the Pacific Coast Region.  He truly has left a legacy of hardwork, honesty and giving back to others for his sons and grandchildren and the entire racing community to follow.

     In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, James Jeffrey Hendren.

     Survivors include his loving wife of 46 years, Bettie L. Hendren; two sons, Steven Daniel Hendren and Michael John Hendren and wife, Beth both of Union Mills; six grandchildren, Igor Hendren, Alex Hendren, Steven Hendren, Alyssa Hendren, Michayla Hendren and Johnathan Hendren; two sisters, Michelle Hendren of Scotts Valley, CA and Diane Scofield of Santa Cruz, CA; his uncle, Carl Hendren of San Jose, CA; one brother- in-law, Raymond Martin and wife, Kathy of Browning, MT; three sister-in-laws, Dorothy Favour of Green Valley, AZ, Alice Heath of Port Angeles, WA and Patricia Martin of Placerville, CA.  He is also survived by many close and dear friends.

      A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Bill’s life will be announced on the company’s website; www.hendrensracingengines.com

     In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; 205 Regency Executive Park Drive, Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28217. 

     Harrelson Funeral Home is serving the Hendren family.

An online guest registry is available at www.harrelsonfuneralhome.com