Cyril S. Wengert was a prominent banker, public utility manager, and civic leader who helped to turn Las Vegas from a town into a city. A second-generation German American, Wengert moved to Las Vegas with his family when he was seventeen, and began working for his father as an ice wagon driver in 1907. After a stint in Seattle where he worked as a longshoreman and attended business school, Wengert accepted a job offer from John S. Park at First State Bank to keep the books for the bank and the power company. Wengert moved up to cashier and in 1929 became one of the incorporators of the Southern Nevada Power Company, a business that served 1485 customers. In 1937 he became the manager of First National Bank, and in 1946 he took the position of vice president and commercial manager of the Southern Nevada Power and Telephone Company. In 1954, Wengert accepted a position with Nevada Power and worked there until his death at age seventy-five.

Wengert married Lottie Ward in 1921. They had five children: James (who died in 1930 at age seven from complications following surgery), Marilyn, Shirley, Robert, and Ward. Wengert was a charter member of a number of organizations, including the American Legion Las Vegas Post, the Nevada State Bankers Association, the Rotary Club, the Elks Lodge, the Southern Nevada Industrial Foundation, and the Knights of Columbus. Wengert was active in community service, founding the Community Chest, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army. Wengert also provided financial and organizational support to the Roman Catholic community, helping to establish both St. Joan of Arc and St. Anne's parishes, and supporting the Sisters of the Home of the Good Shepherd, the Sisters of the Holy Family, the Newman Club, and the Sisters of Rose de Lima Hospital. In 1971, the Clark County School Board of Trustees honored Wengert's commitment to community service with the dedication of the Cyril S. Wengert Elementary School.