Obit: Wagner, William S. (1896 – 1966)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Wagner, Conrad, LaGasse, Peters, Walsdorf, Phillippi, Rasmussen

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 10 Mar 1966

Wagner, William S. (4 NOV 1896 – 1 MAR 1966)

William S. Wagner, Publisher of the Thorp Courier and former Thorp Post Master, passed away at St. Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, on Tuesday, March 1, 1966, following a lingering illness, at 69 years of age. Masonic services at the Thorp Funeral Home and military rites by the Thorp American Legion were conducted on Friday, March 4.

Mr. Wagner had spent all his life in Thorp, between duties at the Thorp Post Office and the Thorp Courier, except for the period during World War I when he served his country in the U.S. Navy.

William Wagner was born in Thorp, Wis., on Nov. 4, 1896. He was educated in the local schools and learned the newspaper business and printer's trade from his father, who founded the Thorp Courier in 1883. Following graduation from high school, where he excelled as a basketball player, he worked at the Courier and at the age of 19 was appointed Clerk at the at the Thorp Post Office. In June 1918 he took leave of absence and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as an apprentice Electrician's Mate. Upon being discharge in 1919, he was reappointed post office clerk, a position he held until March 1925. For the next eight years he devoted his full attention to the printing office.

On July 3, 1924, Mr. Wagner and Miss Florence Conrad of Curtiss were united in marriage of Abbotsford. They had three children: William D. of Bowling Green, Ohio; Richard L. of West Lafayette, Ind., and Joyce (Mrs. John LaGasse) of Thorp.

During the depression years 1929 to 1933, Mr. Wagner was elected and served as a Trustee for the village of Thorp. It was while he was a member of the Village Board that the present City Hall was erected and an extensive program of sewer and water expansion was undertaken. As a trustee he served on the Village Poor, Public Works, Purchasing and Finance Committees.

He was appointed acting Postmaster of Thorp on April 1933, and received his permanent appointment in July 1935. Her served as Postmaster for 23 years, until his retirement in November 1957.

Upon the death of his father in May 1943, he took over as Publisher of the Thorp Courier and up to a short time before his death, was active in one capacity or another in the weekly publication.

During his lifetime, Mr. Wagner was extremely active in civic, fraternal and political organizations. He was a charter member of the Thorp Lions Club in 1931 and was active until his retirement. He was also a charter member of the La Societe Des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux, Voiture Locale No. 821 of Clark County in 1948, serving as an official on many occasions. He helped organize and was a charter member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge No. 680 of Thorp in 1944.

On Feb. 15, 1921 he was initiated into the Masonic Lodge NO. 264 of Thorp, serving as Worshipful Master in 1926 and again in 1942. He was also a member of Medford Chapter No. 79, Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.

Mr. Winger was one of the "old vets" of the Thorp American Legion Post, being a charter member and a very active participant in local, county and state committees. He was an official of the post as long as it existed, holding office of Post Historian for over 30 years, to the time he passed away.

When a young man he joined the Thorp Volunteer Fire Dept., was elected Treasurer in 1926, and retired at the compulsory age in 1949.

His survivors include his wife, three children, two sisters, Mrs. Kenneth Peters (Gretchen) of Okemos, Mich.; and Mrs. Joseph Walsdorf (Florence) of Bradenton, Fla., nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Two sisters preceded him in death, Maude Phillippi and Alice Rasmussen.

Interment was made in the East Thorp Cemetery, complete Masonic services being conducted by members of the Thorp Lodge No. 264, F. & A.M., with Rev. Roy Scott as minister. Military rites were performed by the Thorp American Legion Cecil Tormey Post No. 118 and the Greenwood 40 & 8 firing squad. Pallbearers were members of the Thorp American Legion Post and included John Barth, Tom Polnaszek, Bill Vanderhyden, Joe Czech, Frank Sierocuk and Joe Benzschawel.

Refreshments for mourners were served in the Thorp Methodist Church by the Methodist Women's Society.