William H. "Bill" Wagner

PORTAGE  --  William H. “Bill” Wagner, age 93, of Portage, passed away on Thursday, September 10, 2015, at Tivoli, in Portage.

Bill was born on April 15, 1922, in Brule, the son of George and Olga (Olson) Wagner.  He served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII.  He trained as a pilot and flew a B24 bomber. He survived 19 combat missions over German occupied area with the 15th Air Force, based in Fogia, Italy.  Bill was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  On November 18, 1950 he married Marjorie Olson, they were married for 58 years when she preceded him in death in 2009.  Bill was the owner of Wagner Implement from 1953 to 1975, and then Wagner Lawn and Sport until 1988.  He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and a life-time member of the America Legion and VFW. 

He is survived by his children, Ronald (Kari) Wagner, of Portage, Vickie (Jeff) Rzepiejewski, of Portage, Richard Wagner, of Endeavor and David (Janice) Wagner, of Elroy; a son-in-law, Ron Paske, of Portage, 16 grandchildren; 11great-grandchildren; his sisters and brother, Edna Schubert, of Galesville, Irene Schuh, of Durand, and Irvin (Norma Jean) Wagner of Trempeleau; his brother-in-law, Danny Haines, of Onalaska, other relatives and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marjorie, his daughter Barbara, an infant son, Kenneth, his brothers, Emil, Melvin, Ernie, Lloyd, Harry, Lawrence, and Leonard, and his sisters, Hazel Alseth, and Elaine Haines. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with Chaplain Dan Pulsfus and Rev. Randy Mantik officiating.  Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery with Military Honors by Portage Area Veteran’s Honor Guard.  Visitation will be held on Monday, September 14, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and on Tuesday, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pink Ribbon Angels, the Columbia County Humane Society, the Portage Food Pantry, or a local charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank Dr. Krumpos, and the staff of Divine Savior Healthcare and Tivoli, for their care and compassion.