William Wagner

Billy H Wagner, 89, of Uvalde, Texas died peacefully at his residence on April 9, 2022. He was born on December 15, 1932 in Rochester, New York to Anne Elizabeth Backus and William Conrad Wagner.

Billy married the love of his life, Alberta Jean Shannon, on September 20, 1955 in Seguin, Texas and was blessed with four children, seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Billy graduated from Sabinal High School in 1951 and cherished those memories for the rest of his life. After attending Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, he entered the US Navy during the Korean War and finished his tour of duty with the Seabees. He loved telling his Naval adventures to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After the Navy, Billy worked and studied at Texas A&M University in College Station where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Entomology in 1961.

Billy started his agriculture business career in Ennis, TX with Niagra. In 1964, he began his twenty-seven-year career with Elanco Products Co that included locations in Ennis, McAllen, and Garland, TX, Raleigh, NC, and Memphis, TN, where he retired as Regional Sales Manager in 1990. He ended his ag career with Helena Chemical Co in Pearsall, TX in 1998. Billy was always proud to retire in South Texas where his childhood memories deeply impacted his life. He so loved meeting with his friends at the Sabinal Dairy Queen for coffee or lunch.

Billy Wagner was preceded in death by his son, Jon Jerome Wagner, and his parents.

Billy is survived by his wife, Berta of Uvalde, his children Shana Toomey (James) of Powell, TN, son Rod Wagner of College Station, TX, and son Billy C Wagner (Lisa) of Uvalde, TX. He also leaves his sister, Carol Anne Haynes, of Uvalde, and his seven grandchildren, Will Wagner (Lana) of Lenorah, TX, Lauren Wooldridge (Jason) of Bryan, TX, Kyle Wagner (Cye) of Fort Worth, TX, Katie Lafferty (Kevin) of Houston, TX, Jet Toomey (Victoria) and Jon Toomey of Powell, TN, and Brandon Toomey of Maryville, TN. Billy also leaves eight great-grandchildren, who brought him so much joy; Patton, Lorelei, and Worth Wagner, Eli Wooldridge, Davis and Conrad Wagner, Liam Lafferty, and Lyanna Toomey, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary in Uvalde on Thursday, April 21 at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org), Shriners Hospitals for Children (lovetotherescue.org), or to the charity of one’s choice.