William F. Wagner

William F. Wagner, 79, of Scott Twp., died Thursday after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease. He was the husband of the former Carol Marie Fron. They were married for 55 years and would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary Aug. 7.

Born in Carbondale, he was the son of the late Walter Sr. and Sophie Haneswicz Wagner.

Bill was a graduate of the Benjamin Franklin High School in Carbondale and served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He was a machinist and CNC operator for more than 40 years, working at both Chamberlain and General Dynamics. He was a faithful member of Corpus Christi Church, Montdale, and in his retirement years served as their custodian. Bill had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother and prayed the rosary daily. Bill, along with his wife, Carol, and golden retrievers, Jake, Teddy and K.C., delivered prescriptions for his son's pharmacy, Wagner's Clifford Pharmacy (Endless Mountains Pharmacy), for more than 16 years.

Bill was a devoted family man. He enjoyed visiting his brothers and sisters every weekend. He was always there to lend a helping hand. Bill worked on many projects with his brothers and helped his brother-in-law, David, on Lakeland Sanitation's garbage route. He especially looked forward to working in the garage with his brother-in-law, Carl Fron. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening and loved country music, cowboys and westerns. He loved animals and every dog he met loved him. Bill even grew to love the stray cats his son brought home.

Bill cherished and adored his granddaughters, Mackenzie and Reilly. He babysat for them in their younger years and in return, his loving granddaughters helped care for their grandfather as his Parkinson's disease progressed.

Parkinson's disease took an especially harsh toll on Bill's life over the past year. He was taken care of by his beloved wife, Carol, along with the help of his sons, Billy and Brian, and grandchildren, Mackenzie and Reilly.

The family would like to thank his sister, Mary, and sister-in-law Madge for all their help with Bill's care. Special thanks to Dr. Randall Brundage and his staff and Allied Hospice for their care.

Also surviving are sons, William Scott Wagner, Pharm.D., and Brian Wagner (Louise Mushel), all of Scott Twp.; granddaughters, Mackenzie and Reilly Wagner; sister, Mary Snipes (Thomas Snipes) of Mayfield; brothers, Gerald Wagner (Jane Bowness) of Lenox and David Wagner of Carbondale; sisters-in-law, Madge Fron, Judy Wagner and Janet Wagner; brother and sister-in-law: Carl and Darlene Fron; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Walter Wagner Jr. and wife, Annette, Leo Wagner, and Joseph Wagner Sr.; sister, Ann Gillette; sister-in-law, Mae Wagner; and brother-in-law, David Fron.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. in Corpus Christi Church, Montdale, celebrated by the Rev. Michael J. Kirwin, pastor. Interment will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Scott Twp.

Friends may call Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Those attending are kindly asked to wear a mask.

Arrangements are under the care of the Shifler-Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Clifford.

To share condolences and photos with Bill's family, visit his book of everlasting memories at www.parisefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill's name to Corpus Christi Church, 704 Montdale Road, Scott Twp., PA 18447.