Paul W. “Bill” Wagner, 79, of Roslyn, passed away Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, at his home in Roslyn.
Funeral services were 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster. Military interment immediately followed at the Roslyn Cemetery. A luncheon followed burial at the Roslyn Event Center.
Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. Friday, at the funeral home with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Fiksdalfuneral. com.
Bill was born on Aug. 10,1945, to Paul and Vanda (Christensen) Wagner in Webster. The family moved from Pierpont and established their farm northwest of Roslyn in 1952. He attended school at Roslyn and graduated in 1963. After high school, Bill attended Springfield College, studying automotive mechanics. He then continued his studies at South Dakota State University while working various jobs in Brookings, before being drafted to serve in the Army during the Vietnam War. Bill enlisted in the Army in February 1968 and was released from active duty in September 1969. His skills as a mechanic allowed him to serve his country honorably.
Upon returning from the war, Bill made his home in Roslyn and began farming. He met Mary Samson and they were united in marriage in Eden on Feb.
8, 1975. They were blessed with three children: Beth, Jessica and Joshua. Bill farmed independently before joining together to farm with his father and two brothers, Terry and Loren, in 1981. While farming duties were mostly shared, Bill’s focus and passion was on buying and selling feeder livestock. He retired from farming in 2011. In his retirement he continued to frequent the sale barn and to be counted on for his expertise in the livestock industry.
Bill was also an active member of the community and gave generously of his time. He was a member of the Roslyn Legion and Roslyn Lutheran Church. He served on many boards including the Eden Elevator, Liberty Township, Thrivent and Church Council. The highlight of his service was to the Roslyn School Board, where he gave over twenty years.
Bill valued dedication and hard work. He still made time and enjoyed playing cards with family, friends and the “coffee” crew. He rarely missed any of his children’s school activities and especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up and attending their events.
He is survived by Mary Wagner, his children; Beth (Nate) Sundberg, Emmy and Austin of Plymouth, MN; Jessica (Al) Kjenstad, Ethan, Abby, Isaac and Abe of Aberdeen and Joshua Wagner of Roslyn. His sisters Cheryl (Jay) Dwight of Langford and Marilyn (Jim) Vietor of Pierre, his brother Terry (Patty) Wagner of Roslyn and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Vanda, his stepmother: Jackie Wagner, and two brothers; Allen and Loren Wagner.