Before the Lake Columbia, SIlvarious Bendele and his 7 children farmed the area beyond the southeast side of the lake. It is in the mid 1940's where Bendele Construction, LLC finds its roots, beginning with John Bendele's work for the Mead brothers clearing trees for Lake Columia, Bill Jr. remembers riding on a dozer with him. Then John started his own hauling and grading operation, and his father and brothers would help him when he needed extra aid.
When John decided to sell his equipment in the late 1960's, his brother, William "Bill" Bendele, Sr. bought his '47 GMC dump truck and Ford Loader Tractor. Since Bill, Sr. had been working nights at Goodyear, he decided that he would take on jobs with his new equipment during the day. He took on assignments in landscaping and, with his growing experience and clientele, he named his operation, Bill's Landscaping. His business, however, didn't see immediate success. It turns out raising 5 kids, maintaining a marriage, and working a full time job was hard enough without the added concern of a growing business. It seemed fate was determined to see his new business succeed as Bill, Sr. took immediate advantage of the close of Goodyear and devoted his attention to Bill's Landscaping. Little did he know that this decision would set in motion a family business that would evolve into an endearing legacy over the course of the next 2 generations.
Bill, Sr., with the help of his 5 children, Bill, Jr., Debbie, Tim, Mike, and Charlene, ran the business for 40 years (1968 - 2008.) While Bill's Landscaping encouraged and welcomed work from outside employees, Bill, Sr. strove to include every family member who was willing. "There was no hanging around Dad's house," comments Bill, Jr. "If you were around, and you were family, you got put to work or you left." It was no secret that Bill, Sr. took full advantage of having a big family and the added bonus of having several sets of nephews around to work. However, none of them resent the work "Uncle Bill" put them through. The dedication that employees showed towards Bill's Landscaping formed a connection and united them in a purpose that held no interest in blood, but only in the intention to do right by the customer
With this purpose in mind, Bill's Landscaping established a specialty in septic systems and seawalls and the company found itself the subject of several newspaper articles proclaiming their immense success in the "booming lakes area." It was during this time that the children themselves achieved success, particularly Bill, Jr. who acquired his builder's license in 1995. But, like all good things, Bill's Landscaping too, came to an end. In the wake of the economic recession in the early 2000's, Bill's Landscaping was forced to downsize. It was during this time that Bill, Sr. decided it was time to step down and focus on working the family farm.
In the wake of his father's retirement, combined with his love for excavation and a desire to continue the family business, Bill Bendele, Jr. chose this time to go off on his own. It was in 2004 that Bill, Jr., knowing the country still faced economic hardship, chose to create his new business, naming it Bendele Construction, LLC, a name that his dad, and wife, Mary K. decided on when he got his builder's license.
Today, Bendele Construction, LLC enjoys all the success of its predecessor and has branched out on it's variety of services. Bill, Jr. attributes this success to the help of family members and dedicated employees. With the occasional advice of Bill, Sr., Bendele Construction, LLC strives to fulfill it's predecessor's goal to do what is best for the customer and ensures that all of it's employees share that same goal. To fulfill this goal, the company offers several services which include:
- Excavating
- Dozing
- Building Retaining Walls
- Improving Shorelines
- Installing Boat Launches
- Hauling Equipment
- Trucking Aggregates
- Installing Septic Systems
- Storm Drainage Work
- Snowplowing
- Demolition
- Consultation
Bill, Jr. has been able to expand the business with the help of his employees. His son, William "Billy" Bendele III has followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps with a lifelong investment in the family business. Bill, Jr's grandchildren have even shown an interest in the family business, always asking to "work" for their grandpa when the chance arises. Bill, Jr. stresses that family is not limited to blood. Each of the employees at Bendele Construction, LLC are welcomed to the company and treated with a respect that knows no discrimination, regardless of blood relation. This dedication to both family and customers is what has enabled the Bendele business to endure for 4 generations.
After the recent location change to US 12 Bill, Jr. feels that everything has fallen into place for Bendele Construction, LLC. The ideals upon which the company was formed still endure today. The company embraces both the ups and the downs which have led it to where it is today. More hardships may come but Bill, Jr. and his team are ready, ready to carry out the legacy that has endured for generations and will do so for generations to come.
When John decided to sell his equipment in the late 1960's, his brother, William "Bill" Bendele, Sr. bought his '47 GMC dump truck and Ford Loader Tractor. Since Bill, Sr. had been working nights at Goodyear, he decided that he would take on jobs with his new equipment during the day. He took on assignments in landscaping and, with his growing experience and clientele, he named his operation, Bill's Landscaping. His business, however, didn't see immediate success. It turns out raising 5 kids, maintaining a marriage, and working a full time job was hard enough without the added concern of a growing business. It seemed fate was determined to see his new business succeed as Bill, Sr. took immediate advantage of the close of Goodyear and devoted his attention to Bill's Landscaping. Little did he know that this decision would set in motion a family business that would evolve into an endearing legacy over the course of the next 2 generations.
Bill, Sr., with the help of his 5 children, Bill, Jr., Debbie, Tim, Mike, and Charlene, ran the business for 40 years (1968 - 2008.) While Bill's Landscaping encouraged and welcomed work from outside employees, Bill, Sr. strove to include every family member who was willing. "There was no hanging around Dad's house," comments Bill, Jr. "If you were around, and you were family, you got put to work or you left." It was no secret that Bill, Sr. took full advantage of having a big family and the added bonus of having several sets of nephews around to work. However, none of them resent the work "Uncle Bill" put them through. The dedication that employees showed towards Bill's Landscaping formed a connection and united them in a purpose that held no interest in blood, but only in the intention to do right by the customer
With this purpose in mind, Bill's Landscaping established a specialty in septic systems and seawalls and the company found itself the subject of several newspaper articles proclaiming their immense success in the "booming lakes area." It was during this time that the children themselves achieved success, particularly Bill, Jr. who acquired his builder's license in 1995. But, like all good things, Bill's Landscaping too, came to an end. In the wake of the economic recession in the early 2000's, Bill's Landscaping was forced to downsize. It was during this time that Bill, Sr. decided it was time to step down and focus on working the family farm.
In the wake of his father's retirement, combined with his love for excavation and a desire to continue the family business, Bill Bendele, Jr. chose this time to go off on his own. It was in 2004 that Bill, Jr., knowing the country still faced economic hardship, chose to create his new business, naming it Bendele Construction, LLC, a name that his dad, and wife, Mary K. decided on when he got his builder's license.
Today, Bendele Construction, LLC enjoys all the success of its predecessor and has branched out on it's variety of services. Bill, Jr. attributes this success to the help of family members and dedicated employees. With the occasional advice of Bill, Sr., Bendele Construction, LLC strives to fulfill it's predecessor's goal to do what is best for the customer and ensures that all of it's employees share that same goal. To fulfill this goal, the company offers several services which include:
- Excavating
- Dozing
- Building Retaining Walls
- Improving Shorelines
- Installing Boat Launches
- Hauling Equipment
- Trucking Aggregates
- Installing Septic Systems
- Storm Drainage Work
- Snowplowing
- Demolition
- Consultation
Bill, Jr. has been able to expand the business with the help of his employees. His son, William "Billy" Bendele III has followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps with a lifelong investment in the family business. Bill, Jr's grandchildren have even shown an interest in the family business, always asking to "work" for their grandpa when the chance arises. Bill, Jr. stresses that family is not limited to blood. Each of the employees at Bendele Construction, LLC are welcomed to the company and treated with a respect that knows no discrimination, regardless of blood relation. This dedication to both family and customers is what has enabled the Bendele business to endure for 4 generations.
After the recent location change to US 12 Bill, Jr. feels that everything has fallen into place for Bendele Construction, LLC. The ideals upon which the company was formed still endure today. The company embraces both the ups and the downs which have led it to where it is today. More hardships may come but Bill, Jr. and his team are ready, ready to carry out the legacy that has endured for generations and will do so for generations to come.