William James Wagner

William J. Wagner, Esq., 79, of Arlington, VA, died peacefully at home in his sleep on Sunday, September 15. The eldest of eight children of Rudolph and Margaret (Held) Wagner, he was born June 20, 1945. He worked as an attorney for the federal government, specializing in aviation law, first at the Civil Aeronautics Board and then the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary. He retired in 2011 after 41 years of dedicated service. He graduated at the top of his class from Marquette University High School (Class of ’63) and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics at The Catholic University of America (Class of ’67) and his law degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Class of ’70). Bill was truly a Renaissance man. He served for many years as the President of the Wisconsin State Society. The annual tailgate party fundraisers were legendary, drawing over 400 people. He held season tickets at several local theaters, the Washington Nationals, and the Baltimore Orioles. He was a beloved member of Hash House Harrier groups. He traveled extensively internationally. He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Ann (Wagner) Orzech and Jane (Wagner) Tecza, and sister-in-law Barbara Cristina (Martinez) Wagner. He is survived by five siblings and their spouses, James Wagner of Tucson, AZ; Catherine Wagner (Theodore Bonner) of New Berlin, WI; Jerome Wagner of Vienna, VA; Daniel Wagner (Elizabeth Godfrey) of Arlington, VA; and Mary (Wagner) Byrns (Dan Byrns) of Kewaskum, WI; in-laws Joseph Orzech and Bruce Tecza; nieces, nephews, and cousins; friends; and hundreds of hashers. A Requiem Mass will be held at Saint Agnes Catholic Church, 1914 N. Randolph Street, Arlington, VA, on Tuesday, October 1 at 11:00 am. He will be interred in St. Jerome Catholic Cemetery in Oconomowoc, WI, in the family plot at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Bill’s memory to St. Agnes Catholic School in Arlington, VA; The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC; Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, WI; the Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians (Holy Hill) in Hubertus, WI; the American Battlefield Trust; or a charity of your choice.