Paul E. Wagner, 93 died peacefully in Mesa, Arizona on July 26, 2024. His wife Carolyn, of 32 years was at his bedside. Paul was born on June 27, 1931 in Joliet, Illinois. He was the son of Elton A. and Madge Wagner and grew up in Danville, Illinois. He graduated from Danville High School in 1949. He was a graduate of Knox College in 1954 in Business Administration. Paul also served two years in the Army and was stationed in California.

Paul married Martha (Busby) Wagner in December 1953. They were married sixteen years. He later married Muriel Chaney (1971). They were married twenty years until she passed. The last thirty two years he was married to Carolyn Sue (Kist) Wagner. Paul and Carolyn made their home in Apache Junction and Mesa for many years.

Upon his college graduation, Paul worked with his father at Elton A. Wagner Construction Company in Danville. Later he owned his own business and then continued to work in the construction field until he retired at 63 ½. After he retired, he worked for Southern Cross and he and Carolyn traveled frequently with the job. He eventually stopped working at age 79.

Paul loved walking. Most days, he walked five miles. He continued this daily ritual well into his 80s. He also enjoyed hiking in the Arizona mountains. He hiked to the top of Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains in his 70s. He continued hiking well into his 80s and enjoyed hikes with his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters. He also loved playing euchre and cribbage with his wife Carolyn. Paul was an avid reader until he gradually lost his eyesight.

Paul is survived by his brother Elton A. Wagner, II (Lonna) from Danville, IL, daughter Martha Anne Bollinger (Robert) from Champaign, IL and son David Wagner from Urbana, Illinois. He also leaves behind a step-daughter, Lucy Sharer (Randy) and a step-son, Danny Fox both from Danville, Illinois. He has two granddaughters, Katelyn Glander (Austin) and Emily Andrews (Chad) both from Champaign, IL. Great grandchildren are Madelyn Andrews and Grayson Glander. He also has several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his sister, Joan Funkhouser (Jon), a stepdaughter, Karen Leeke, a step-son, Joseph Fox, and a step-great granddaughter.

We know that Paul is now in a better place, enjoying reading, playing euchre, walking, and hiking again. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Danville, Illinois.

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