William Donald Wagner

Services will be held, Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Mount Moriah & Freeman Chapel. Visitation 10:00am, Service immediately following at 11:00am. Entombment in the Faith Mausoleum at Mt. Moriah Cemetery.

Don was born Aug. 12, 1916 in Black Oak, Grundy County, MO to Walter Cecil and Cecile May (Ishmael) Wagner. He grew up in and around Laredo, Mo. Don worked many jobs in his youth. He enlisted in the CCC, “Civilian Conservation Camp, Co.1734, February 1938 in Bethany MO as a cook.

He married Helen G. Clemens of Trenton, MO., on August 20, 1939. This union brought two children, Ronald and Joyce.

In 1951 he and his family moved to the Fairmount/Sugar Creek area of Kansas City, Mo where he continued his employment with the Milwaukee Railroad as a trainman and conductor until his retirement in 1977. His love of trains was evident by the many elaborate scale model train sets he built. Don was also an avid hunter, traveling to many states and Canada, hunting for pheasants, deer, elk and bear. He could tell you many a tale.

Upon retirement, Don and Helen became avid antique dealers, scouting out those bargains and participating in many antique shows and were members of the Heart of America Carnival Glass Club. Don loved auctions and finding that ‘really good deal”.

Don was a 65 year Master Mason, Laredo Chapter #253 and Lee’s Summit Chapter #263, and the Order of Eastern Star, Chapters #101; and a member of Ararat Shrine, Provost, Temple Security, VIP’s, Lotawana Shrine Club and Director’s Staff,

In 2005, Don moved to the Masonic Home now, SummitView Terrace. He was very proud to be known there as the Ambassador, greeting all who came to visit.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, parents, two sisters, Anne Bailey and Fern Eicher, and two brothers, Eugene (Gene) Wagner, and James (JT) Wagner. He is survived by his son, Ronald Wagner (Dee), Harrison, AR; daughter Joyce (Barry) Tatum, Lees Summit, MO; four grandchildren, Nick Wagner (Louise), Grain Valley, MO, Bret Wagner (Amy), Lees Summit, MO, Jody Fristoe (Daren), Lees Summit, MO, and Mark Tatum (Mindy), Lake Winnebago, MO; eight great-grandchildren, Theron Wagner (April), Hayley and Raegan Wagner, Adam and Emma Fristoe, Samuel, Marlo and Penelope Tatum; one great-great granddaughter, Journey Wagner; and many nieces, nephews, and lots of friends.

Don loved life, loved people and will be greatly missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Ararat Shrine Hospital Transportation. 5100 Ararat Drive, Kansas City, MO 64129