He was born on March 4, 1942, in Sterling, IL, the son of James and Besse (Firage) Wagner. Walter worked at Northwestern Steel and Wire for 34 years and was a custodian for the Dixon Public Schools at Reagan Middle School.
He was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Dixon and a member of the Moose Club in Sterling. He was an avid Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. He also was an avid fisherman and enjoyed bird watching, traveling, and his dog, Daisy.
Walter married Jeanette Factor on June 14, 2008, in Dixon.
He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, James “Bud” Wagner, Marie Boehm, Doris Parker, Shirley Smith, Robert Wagner, John Wagner and Linda Hines; and step-grandson, Riley Buckholz.
Walter is survived by his wife, Jeanette; children, Bradley (Emily) Wagner of Dixon and Leigh (Wesley) Perkins of Sterling; stepchildren, Sharon (Doug) Killian of Lake Moore and Paul (Adena) Buchholz of Burlington; five grandchildren, Kaitlyn Wagner, Josie Wagner, Morgan Wagner, Andrea (Caleb) Hess and William (Naomi) Hassler; two step-grandchildren, Aidan Buckholz and Sandra (Adam) Opatrny; three great-grandchildren, Beau, Gwenyth and Phoebe; brother, Stephen (Ellen) Wagner of Sterling; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church in Dixon. Cremation rites were to follow, with burial of cremated remains to take place at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery in Dixon.
Visitation was held Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church in Dixon.
Memorial donations can be made to St. Anne Catholic Church/School and Granny Rose Animal Shelter.
Arrangements were made by the Jones Funeral Home in Dixon.
