Leslie Vernard Wagner

Leslie V. Wagner Sr. passed from this life at age 91 to the arms of our Lord on the afternoon of February 11th, 2022, bidding us farewell at 1445 hrs. He would have said it was a perfect day for flying.

He was born in Godfrey, Illinois, on April 3rd, 1930, the seventh child of William H. Wagner and Eva L. (Ruyle) Wagner. A child of the Great Depression, he said there was always room at the dinner table for anyone else that showed up. Enlisting in the US Air Force at age 18, he soon found his way to Germany and was proud to be a part of the Berlin Airlift, serving as a Flight Engineer on our favorite aircraft, the venerable C-47. It always got him home. While stationed at Erding Air Base outside of Munich, he met the love of his life, Irmgard Reicherzer, known affectionately to everyone as Irmy. They were married June 26th, 1952, a marriage that lasted almost 70 years.

After 26 years of service, 12 of which were spent in Germany, he retired from the Air Force at Luke AFB in Arizona, and moved his family to Mesa, AZ in 1974.

He went to work for Hughes Airwest Airlines, which later became Republic Airlines. Not wanting to transfer to Minneapolis, he soon found work with the up-and-coming America West Airlines, where his travels took him to Australia, Chile, Panama, and the islands of Hawaii, Fiji, and Majorca. He retired in 1995.

Les, as he was known to most, was extremely loyal to his family and friends, his country, and his Lord. He was kind and generous, and would give you the shirt off of his back, even if it was his last one. He loved all animals, and he was a friend to any stray cat or dog that would show up at the door.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and two sisters. He was still mourning the loss of his daughter-in-law JoAnn, who he loved like the daughter that he never had.

He leaves behind his wife Irmgard, and son, Leslie Jr., both of Mesa, AZ. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Lucille Wagner of Mesa, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends and neighbors who loved and respected him.

His was a life well-lived, and he will be missed dearly by those that survive.

No services are planned, as per his request.

Any donation made in his memory to a veterans organization is appreciated.

He has "slipped the surly bonds of Earth and reached out to touch the face of God".

May God grant you peace, Dad, you certainly earned it.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakeshoreMort.com for the Wagner family.