Wagner, Jr., William M.

My name is William M. Wagner, Jr., though many knew me simply as Bill—and in my younger days, “Junior.” I was born on May 8, 1932, in Abingdon, Virginia, where I spent a childhood filled with the kind of simple joys that stay with a man for a lifetime: a pony, a bulldog, a 1948 Whizzer motorbike to get around town, and the love of being the eldest grandchild.

On June 29, 2026, my time on this earth came to a peaceful close. As I leave this world, I am reunited with my beloved wife of 54 years, Marliene Rainey Wagner; my parents, Tinnie Margaret Flanagan Wagner and William Maiden Wagner, Sr.; my great aunt, Virginia Flannagan Shockley; my grandparents, Guy and Nannie Flanagan, and many close friends and family.

I am survived by my loving daughter, Nicole Luvica Wagner of Fairlawn, Virginia, who has been the pride of my life; and my brother, Jimmy Kay Wagner (Louise) of Smithfield, Virginia. I leave behind extended family, shipmates, friends, and fellow Hokies with whom I shared many cherished memories and happy times.

As I turned eighteen, I knew the draft would soon call my number during the Korean War. I wanted to see the world—and I wanted to do it from the deck of a ship—so in March 1951, I proudly enlisted in the United States Navy as an Airman. I arrived at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois, and turned 18 years old the following week. My decision to join the Navy shaped the man I became and resulted in memories that I have cherished and enjoyed sharing throughout my lifetime. I served four years, first aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), and later with Air Group Three, Attack Squadron Thirty-Five (VA-35). During my service, I earned the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, China Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Navy Occupation Medal (European), and served aboard the USS Tarawa (CVA 40).

Air Group Three and Attack Squadron 35 were always on the move. We made two Mediterranean cruises on the USS Leyte (CV 32) and one around the world on the USS Tarawa. I saw Gibraltar, the Suez and Panama Canals, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Istanbul, Palermo, Granada, Subic Bay, China, Manila, Hawaii, and more ports than I can list. I even made it to Australia during the Coral Sea Celebration. The pilots were exceptional officers, and the enlisted men who kept those aircraft flying were some of the finest professionals I ever knew. I never once regretted enlisting. Not for a moment.

After the Navy, I headed to Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University on the GI Bill. I started as an Agricultural Engineering major for two years, took several years off due to health issues, returned to VPI for two years, and graduated with a degree in Industrial Arts Education. I became an avid Hokie and spent many years cheering for the “Fighting Gobblers” and then the “Hokies” in Lane Stadium, celebrating victories and lamenting losses with equal passion as a football season ticket holder for almost 50 years.

After VPI, my career took me to Hercules, Inc., the aerospace contractor for Radford Army Ammunition Plant, where I worked as a safety inspector. Over 32 years, I rose to become Manager of the Safety Department. When I retired in 1994, I embraced more than three decades of well-earned rest—time filled with family, friends, travel, golf, bowling, woodworking, annual golf trips with buddies to Myrtle Beach, and the quiet satisfaction of a life lived fully.

I was an active and long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Pulaski, VA, and also a longstanding member of Thornspring Golf Club and Pulaski Country Club, where I spent many years golfing, socializing, playing in tournaments, and playing daily with the Seniors Group after I retired.
While I happily lived most of my life outside of the Navy in Abingdon and Pulaski, the last two years of my life were spent at Commonwealth Senior Living in Radford, Virginia. My daughter and I want to thank the many caregivers at Commonwealth Senior Living – Radford and Medi Home Health & Hospice for their kindness and care.

I have been many things: a devoted husband, a loving father, a son, a brother, an airman, a friend, and a Hokie. I lived a full life, rich with adventure, service, faith, love, and gratitude. Thank you to everyone who shared a part of it with me.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at Forest Hills Memory Gardens, 19415 Lee Hwy, Abingdon, VA, at 10:30am on Saturday, July 25th, 2026. Visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church, 301 Jefferson Ave N, Pulaski, VA, on Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 1:30-2:30pm. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 2:30pm with Rev. Dr. Josh Kilbourne officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First United Methodist Church, 135 4th St NW, Pulaski, VA 24301.