Joseph William Wagner

Joseph William Wagner, 87

DAGSBORO - Joseph William Wagner of Dagsboro died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, in his home. He was 87.

Mr. Wagner was born in Barnesville, Pa., son of the late Charles E. and Katie Heinrich Wagner.

He was a retired lineman/switchman who worked for the Diamond State Telephone Co., before retiring in 1984.

Mr. Wagner was educated as an electrician and trained at Bliss Electrical College in Silver Springs, Md.

He served in the U.S. Army Air Force as an airplane mechanic during World War II in North Africa and Europe. He was awarded two Bronze Stars and the Victory Medal. He also served in the Delaware National Guard.

He was known as the "Honeybee man," and the "Rabbit Man," two hobbies he continued until recently.

Mr. Wagner was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7422, Millsboro, where he served as chaplain. He was a life member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and a volunteer for Talking Books. He was also a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Millsboro for 54 years, where he served as past superintendent of the Sunday school and was teacher of the adult Sunday School class. He also held many other positions in the church and was a member of the Methodist Men. He was a charter member of the Georgetown Lions Club where he served as past president and secretary. He was named both a Melvin Jones and a Ralph Helm Fellow for Humanitarian Services. In 1957 he was sent to the Delmarva Chicken Festival as a representative for the Georgetown Lions Club. He brought home the trophy for chicken eating contest.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Arnold and Paul.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Doris (Raughley) Wagner; four children and their spouses, Susan and Wilbur Bradford of Pittsville, Md., Charles and Judy Wagner of Burke, Va., Gus and Debbie Wagner of Dagsboro and Laura and Michael Crum of Salisbury, Md.; nine grandchildren and their spouses, Ellen and Gary Harlan, Brad and Amy Bradford, Matthew Wagner, Katie Wagner, Nicole Wagner, Jessica Wagner, Thomas Joseph Crum, Tyler Crum and Jefferson Crum; four great-grandchildren, Alexis Harlan, Seth Harlan, Lauren Bradford and Peyton Bradford; a sister and a brother-in-law, Ruth and Chester Wolfe; three nephews, Paul Wolfe, Phillip Wolfe and Mark Wolfe.

Services will be 12:30 p.m. Wednesday in Grace United Methodist Church, Millsboro, where friends may call two hours earlier.

Burial will be in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Grace United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 566, Millsboro, DE 19966.

Arrangements by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.