William G. Wagner

William G. (Bill) Wagner, age 85, crossed over into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Monday, May 07, 2007. He was born, January 18, 1922, in the mountain town of Gate City, Virginia, the son of a horseback circuit-riding preacher, James Hunter Wagner and his wife, Emma Gibson Wagner. At an early age, Bill moved with his family to Missouri where he later graduated from Central College in Fayette, MO. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and took aerial navigator training in Texas at Hondo. Here Bill met Barbara (Bobbye) Burger, later to become his wife. After completing crew training on Flying Fortress B-17's, he was sent to England where he was assigned to the 8th Air Force. With the 379th Bomb Group, Bill flew 35 combat missions, including air support for ground troops in the Battle of the Bulge. He received the Air Medal with six Oak Leaf clusters. Bill and Bobbye were married by his Dad in June, 1945, upon his return to the States. Having been sports editor of his college newspaper, Bill sought employment as a journalist and for two years worked on the Houston Chronicle as a reporter. In 1947, they moved to San Antonio and Bill joined the staff of the San Antonio Express-News. In his 27 years with the paper, Bill became city editor, news editor, and managing editor and when he retired in 1975, he was executive editor and vice president. He was a member of the American Society of Newspaper Editors and an officer in the Texas Associated Press Managing Editor's Association. After retirement, Bill accepted an offer from the State of Texas to serve as a public information officer and he and Bobbye moved to Austin. For his work there he received commendations from both the Texas Senate and House of Representatives, principally for authoring a book, Write Right, designed to eliminate bureaucratic terminology in state memos and reports. It became widely used in government and commercial offices. Bill retired from the State in 1985. While in Austin, Bill taught journalism at Concordia University and accepted editorship of The Texas Messenger, a magazine that is the official publication of the Texas District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. In 1992, Bill and Bobbye returned to San Antonio where Bill continued his church magazine work and both rejoined Concordia Lutheran Church where they first became members in 1953. At Concordia, Bill served in numerous capacities, including twice being elected congregational president under the Rev. Dr. Guido Merkens. On the national level he served on three Missouri Synod boards. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister. Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Bobbye; son, Rev. Stephen Wagner, pastor and executive leader of the Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI) in Carrollton, TX, and wife, Rita; daughter, Sandra Wagner of San Antonio; and daughter, Susan Haley and husband, David of Naruna, TX; five grandchildren, Leah and Lance Wagner, Jennifer Pinkerton and husband, Scott, Betsy Post and husband, Steven, and Angela Haley; 3 great-granddaughters, Sarah, Phoebe and Ellen Pinkerton; also nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Thursday, May 10, 2007, from 6:00 to 8:00 P. M. at Porter Loring Mortuary North. VISITATION FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2007, 10:00 A.M. CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH 16801 HUEBNER RD. SERVICE FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2007, 11:00 A.M. CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH Interment will follow in San Jose Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in Bill's name to Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI), 12300 Ford Rd., Ste. 450, Dallas, Texas 75234 or to Concordia Lutheran Church Building Fund, 16801 Huebner Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78258. You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary North.