William Wagner

William F. Wagner, Sr., 76, passed away Saturday evening, June 10, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Bill was born on Valentine's Day, 1930, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Marcel and Estelle Wagner. He was the oldest of five children. Bill attended All Saints parochial school and St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, the same school as his father. Bill then received a Naval ROTC scholarship to the University of Virginia, graduating in 1951. He then entered the United States Naval Reserves as an ensign. The next three years were some of the most interesting of Bill's life as he served on a destroyer sailing the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean. After his service Bill worked as a Sales Engineer, Zone Manager and Regional Manager for the Climatrol Division of the Worthington Corporation. He was transferred to Indianapolis in 1959, later meeting his future wife, Marilyn Sweeney. Bill and Marilyn were married in 1961 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Indianapolis. In 1976 Bill started his own business, Wagner Equipment Company, serving as President until his retirement in 1995. An active member of St. Luke Catholic Church, Bill served in many ways including chair...[more]

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the Home-School Committee, heading up the First Sunday Sharing Program for 18 years with his wife, serving on the Christian Social Action Commission, coaching numerous CYO sports teams, and facilitating numerous Faith Sharing Groups over the years. Bill was a former member of the Serra Club and was a member of the Indianapolis Cursillo Community. He was also a Master Gardener taking pride in growing roses, especially tending to the rose garden at St. Augustine Home. Bill was an avid fan of the Colts, Pacers, Notre Dame football, and the sports activities of his children and grandchildren, rarely missing a game. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Marilyn Wagner; daughter, Mary Kay Wagner of Seattle, WA; son, William F. Wagner, Jr., M.D. (Nichole) of Seattle, WA; son, Stephen M. Wagner (Courtenay) of Indianapolis; son, Michael R. Wagner (Alyssa) of Carmel; sister, Carolyn Rooney of Falmouth, MA; brother, Marcel E. Wagner of Spring Lake, NJ. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Tyler, Jake, Weston, Regan, Mia, Abigail, Caroline, and William III. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Mary Bresnan and Marjorie Wagner. Calling will be held Tuesday, June 13 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel, 740 E. 86th St., Indianapolis. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Luke Catholic Church at 11:00am on Wednesday, June 14. You are invited to visit the website www.leppertmortuary.com where you can share a personal memory, sign the guest book or make a memorial contributions the St. Luke Christian Social Action Commission, Brebeuf Preparatory School, and the Little Sisters of the Poor.