William (Bill) Frederick Wagner of Remsen died on July 9, 2009 at the age of 78 at Saint Luke's Hospital, New Hartford, after a valiant struggle with lung cancer. Bill was born December 13, 1931 in Utica, one of 4 brothers and 2 sisters of Stewert John and Edna (Witmann) Wagner of Russia, NY. He attended Catholic schools at Sacred Heart and Utica Catholic Academy, graduating from Syracuse University at Utica College in 1964 with a Bachelors Degree in Physics. On November 30, 1957, he married Phyllis Szczerba of Utica and together they raised three children during their 51 year marriage. On 8 August, 1949, he joined the Navy as a Dental Technician. Bill later reported to Dental Technician school at Great Lakes, Michigan on November 15, 1949 and graduated April 13 1950. He arrived at his first duty assignment at Patuxent River, Maryland, and was eventually assigned on board the USS Monrovia. He was honorably discharged 3 years 8 months later at the rank of DT3, Seaman. Bill was employed as a Microwave Electronics engineer at General Electric (French Road) for 35 years retiring at the age of 57 in 1988. His achievements at GE include the Ralph Cordiner award, given to him for his contributions to the company's "accent on value" program in the light military electronics department. He was cited for a major breakthrough in the manufacture of microelectronic components, after he developed a technique which perfected etching on thin film masks, cutting production costs by 75 percent. This award is given to only one in 1000 employees. He loved family and friends. His favorite hobbies were shooting dice at casinos around the U.S., and enjoyed restoring classic cars, trout fishing and especially historic aviation and flying his Cessna. He ensured both his sons became licensed pilots and always talked about flying. Bill clung to traditional Roman Catholicism his entire life, becoming a dedicated devotee and organizer of the Saint Thomas More Traditional Catholic Church in Utica. He was a member of conservative political organizations, the Experimental Aircraft Association, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He is predeceased by his brother Stewert John Wagner, Jr. He is survived by his wife Phyllis (Szczerba) Wagner; sister Kathleen Wagner of Worchester, MA; sister Judith Humphrey of Utica; brother Peter L. Wagner of Thomaston, GA; son Dr. Gregg P. and daughter-in-law Rachelle Wagner of Plantation, FL; son Senior Master Sergeant (USAF) Kevin P. and daughter-in-law Master Sergeant (USAF) Carol (Ward) Wagner stationed at Aviano Air Base and living in Cordenons, Italy; daughter Lynn A. and son-in-law Christopher McHeffey of Walnut Creek, CA; grandchildren Brandon J. Wagner, Christopher J. Wagner, and Heather M. Wagner of Mooresville, NC; Christopher L. McHeffey, Jr., Erin M. McHeffey, and Molly L. McHeffey of Walnut Creek, CA; many nieces, cousins, and nephews. A private Traditional Latin Requiem Mass will be celebrated by a Priest of the Congregation of Pius V at Saint Thomas More Traditional Catholic Chapel in Utica. Since seating is extremely limited, the family requests the funeral mass to be private. A wake will be held for all friends and families at Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro Street, Utica, from 3- 7 on Sunday, July 12, 2009. Interment will take place at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Whitestown. The rosary will be recited Sunday evening at 6:30. Those so wishing may make donations to the American Cancer Society. The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Alicia Detraglia, the staff of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates, Dr. Joseph Booth and Kelly Weaver for all the loving care they gave to Bill.