William Wagner

William “Bill” Eugene Wagner of Nashport, Ohio passed away peacefully at his home Sunday, May 10, 2020. He was 83 years old. He bravely fought his battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma over the past 10 months, and was surrounded by his loving wife Marlene, and his sons at his time of death. Bill and Marlene celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on May 4. Bill was born in Middletown, Ohio on July 17, 1936, to Evelyn (nee Knight) and Joseph Fredrick Wagner. As a youth, he enjoyed working on the family farm with his three brothers: Joe Jr., Thomas and Larry. He graduated from Frazeysburg High School, Class of 1954, and went to work at Meadow Gold Dairy in 1956. He married his high school sweetheart, Marlene Marie Lawson, on May 4, 1956, after a 3 year-long courtship. In 1964 he began a long and proud career with Bob Evans Farms, first as a store delivery driver then working his way up to District Sales Manager. In 1965 he received the highly coveted Bob Evans Silver Stetson Award for salesman of the year. He retired in 1999 with 35 years of service and continued to reposition delivery trucks for another 5 years. He was inducted into the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels by Kentucky Commonwealth Governor Steve Beshear in 2007, as an Honorary Kentucky Colonel. He was a 39 year member of the Free and Accepted Masons and he participated in many lodge activities in Zanesville; OH, Louisville, KY; Noblesville, IN; and Nashport, OH. He was a member of the Irville Lodge #184 Masonic Lodge, and achieved the level of Past Master in 1992 in Noblesville, IN. He was the president of the Athletic Boosters for West Muskingum High School in 1974 & 1975 where his sons attended high school and played basketball and baseball. Bill was an active member of the Coburn United Methodist Church in Zanesville, OH, with Pastor Justin Williams. He enjoyed traveling with his wife Marlene all over the world, including: Sydney, London, Brussels, Germany, Hawaii, Texas, Canada and California. Anyone who knew him, knows that he had a passion for playing cards and his annual vegetable garden. He was preceded in death by his mother Evelyn Wagner, father Joseph Wagner, brothers Thomas Wagner and Joseph “Junior” Wagner, Jr., son Aaron J. (Jenny) Wagner. He is survived by his beloved wife Marlene Marie (nee Lawson); sons Chris (Liz) Wagner of Wentzville, MO; Barry (Jodi) Wagner of Pickerington, OH; Kyle (Sherry) Wagner of Muncie, IN; and Thomas Yourke of Palm Springs, CA; Brother Larry of Newark, OH; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces and great nephews and great nieces. Bill has chosen cremation and a memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to the Genesis Cancer Center, 2951 Maple Avenue, Zanesville, OH. 43701. The Bill Wagner family would like to express our gratitude to the outpouring of help, love, food and friendship with which you, his friends and family, have lavished upon us and Bill over the past several weeks. It was very humbling and greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Pastor Justin Williams for his home visits and spiritual support. May God bless all of you. To share a memory of Bill or to offer a message of condolence to the family, please visit his tribute wall.