William "Bill" M. Wagner

William “Bill” Mark Wagner, 74, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at Baptist Health Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. He was surrounded by his loved ones; fiancé and longtime companion, Barbara Reece, son, William “Billy” Mark Wagner II, daughter-in-law, Brooke Wagner, and grandchildren. He will sincerely be missed by many friends and family.

Bill was born in 1947 in Evansville, Indiana. He attended Harper Grade School, Bosse High School, Harrison High School (class of 1965) and California Northrop Institute of Technology. He loved and successfully participated in many sports during his school years, he participated in the State Finals in track and field, but his favorite sport was baseball. After his schooling was finished, he then followed in the footsteps of Bill Byers, his retired grandfather, into a construction career. Bill started out as a laborer, which then led to joining the union for additional training. Early in his career, he learned skills such as carpentry, heavy equipment operation and became an expert in concrete. Bill worked long and hard hours early in his career, which gave him the ability to go into business for himself. In 1982 Bill opened his first company Constructors of Mid America Inc. which was a union company. As time went on, he started a non-union company named Lin-Con Inc. and finally in the mid 90's he purchased Gilmour Inc. in Wyoming to help facilitate projects out west. Among the many projects, his companies constructed over the years his primary focus was on the construction of coal preparation plants. During his career, Bill's companies built many projects throughout the United States.

Throughout Bill's life he quietly helped those in need. Anyone that knew Bill loved him for his infectious personality and his love for friendship. Bill also had a passion for coaching and the game of baseball. Over the years, he was able to pass down that knowledge to his son Billy who went on to play college level baseball at Wabash Valley Junior College in Southern Illinois. Over the past several years, Bill was very proud to have the opportunity to see his grandchildren play the game as well. In retirement, he lived in Louisville, KY and Estero, FL. He was able to play golf and enjoyed working on beautiful home improvements at his residences, as well as woodcarving. Bill also thoroughly enjoyed cooking for friends and large groups of people. He was a member of Lake Forest Country Club in Louisville, KY and Pelican Sound Golf and River Club in Estero, FL. It should be noted, just a few weeks before his passing he hit his first hole in one.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; Phyllis Byers Barr Wagner Goetzinger (mother), William “Bill” A. Wagner (father) who adopted Bill in early in his life, Glenn D. Barr (biological father), Mel Goetzinger (in later adult life, stepfather), grandparents; Bess Marie and William “Bill” G. Byers, Margaret and Absolom Hooker Wagner and brother-in-laws; Cleatis D. "Brownie" Brown and Russell J. Starkey.

He is survived by his fiancé, Barbara Reece of Kentucky; sons, William “Billy” Mark Wagner II (Brooke) of Indiana and Christopher B. Wagner (Marcie Wagner) of Illinois; daughters, Allison Wagner (Craig Pearce) of Indiana and Molly Hottenstein of Indiana; grandchildren, Parks, Cameron, Rossi and William Van Wagner of Indiana, Mallory and Owen Wagner of Illinois; sisters, Pat Brown of Indiana, Priscilla Starkey of Ohio, and Marcia Stengel (Hon. Bruce V.) of Minnesota; and several nephew, nieces and cousins.

A Celebration of Life Service will be 3:00 p.m. Monday, July 18, 2022 at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, 5333 State Road 261, Newburgh, IN. Family and friends may visit Monday 1:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-9959. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com.