William Ernest “Bill” Wagler, 74, formerly of Hutchinson, died August 1, 2021, after a valiant fight against an extended illness, at the Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, MO. He was born January 31, 1947, in Hutchinson, to Albert “Al” and Bettie Jo (Butler) Wagler.
Bill graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1965, Hutchinson Community College in 1967, and received his bachelor’s degree in hotel management from Washburn University in 1970. He played collegiate basketball at HCC and Washburn. Bill worked in the hospitality industry for several years before transitioning to Dillons, where he worked for over 34 years, retiring in 2006 as a District Manager. Bill’s greatest joy was watching his three children play sports, as well as hunting with friends and playing golf, particularly at Prairie Dunes. He was a Troop Leader for Boy Scout Troop 301, in Hutchinson, for a number of years.
On June 6, 1970, he married Sue McCue, in Hutchinson. They shared 40 years of joyful marriage before her death on September 3, 2010. Bill later moved to Lenexa, Kansas to be closer to his children and their families.
Bill is survived by: son, Lucas and wife Jennifer and their children, Carter, Presley, and Holden; son, Logan and wife Jennifer and their children, Brooklyn, Landon and Keaton, all of Lenexa; and daughter, MacKenzie Harvison and husband Scott and their children, Hank, Holly, and Weston, of Overland Park, Kansas.
Bill was preceded in death by: his wife, Sue; his parents; and a sister, Camille.
Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 7, 2021, at Elliott Chapel, with Pastor John Chastain officiating. Friends may sign his book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends following the service.
Bill was dearly loved by his family, and they are so thankful that he has been reunited with Sue, and that he is no longer in pain.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association (for the Al Wagler Scholarship Fund), in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.