Mr. William Paul Wagner, better known as Bill, age 79 of Sparta, passed away at 5:16pm on Monday, June 23, 2026 at Willow Branch Health and Rehab in McMinnville, Tennessee.

Bill was born June 3, 1947 in Scranton, Pennsylvania to the late Joseph and Marie Baskerville Wagner. Bill served in the United States Marine Corp for four years following high school and had a tour in Vietnam during his service. It was during his time in the Marines that he met his future wife, Jacquie. Following his time in the service, he fulfilled his dream of being a Chicago Cop. He joined the Chicago Police Force in 1972 and served the City of Chicago for 33 years. Following his retirement in 2005, he and Jacquie moved to the peace and better weather of Tennessee to raise alpacas. The alpacas, many cats and his favorite dog, Gunny, provided 20 years of calm, quiet joy. Bill loved fishing in Minnesota, the Chicago Bears and Chicago White Sox. Most of all, he was always proud of his sons in service to others as a cop and fire fighter-paramedic.

In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by his brother Dennis Wagner and sister Ann Katherine Wagner Gillette and twin sons, William and Timothy.

Surviving family members include his wife of 55 years Jacquie Peters Wagner

Two sons and their spouses: Ryan and Meghan Wagner, Garrett and Kelly Wagner

Four granddaughters: Grace Wagner, Payton Wagner, Shannon O'Keefe and Una O'Keefe

Funeral services will be conducted 11:00am Tuesday, June 30, 2026 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with full military honors by the Veterans' Honor Guard. In honor of Bill's wishes, Hunter Funeral Home has been entrusted with his cremation following his funeral. The family will receive friends after 10:00am Tuesday at Hunter Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Walden's Puddle Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, P.O. Box 641 Joelton, TN 37080,  https://waldenspuddle.org/donate