Charles R. Wagner 1930-2025

He was born Aug. 1, 1930, in Youngstown, the son of Hoover L. and Alice Gibson Wagner.

A 1949 graduate of South High School, he attended West Virginia State University and Youngstown College (now YSU), Ohio law enforcement officer training at Kent State extension, the Industrial Timestudy Institute in Akron and the program in management development at Wittenberg University.

Mr. Wagner was employed by Youngstown Steel Door Company for 30 years in various positions as a welder, a welding supervisor and retiring as a rate evaluator. He was also a deputy sheriff of Trumbull County, serving as an officer at the Youngstown-Warren Municipal Airport for 10 years. He also worked at The Youngstown Club, Erie Railroad Roundhouse and as a bus driver for Youngstown municipal bussing during his young adulthood.

A veteran of the Korean War, Mr. Wagner served as a U.S. Army corporal in the Field Artillery Branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Mr. Wagner was a member of Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church and a member of its trustee and deacon board. He was a soloist in the radio choir in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, leading “Footprints of Jesus” and “Yes, Jesus Loves me,” among others. He also served in the Sunday school and men’s ministry.

Charles loved to fish and hunt in his younger days.

He established and was president of Promise Land Development Corp. and owner of C&L Trucking.

Mr. Wagner married the former Lily M. Johnson on May 18, 1951, They were married for 69 years until her passing in May 2020. Two children were born to this union, a daughter, Charlene Celestine Williams (Julius) and a son, Bruce Edward Wagner, who passed away in November 2022.

His family also included grandchildren, Brinson Edward Wagner, who preceded him in passing, Zahne Williams (Rhae), Patrice Nicole Cuff (Stephen), Lauren Williams and Rose Mae Lopez (Keith); great-grandchildren, Olivia Renee, Nathan Anthony, Isaac Aaron (Lauren) and Kayla Jade, Caleb James and Joshua Charles (Rose); stepsisters, Carolyn Cooper, Deborah Beasley, Julia Rose Johnson and Linda Turnage; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mr. Wagner was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lily Wagner; son, Bruce Wagner; grandson, Brinson Wagner; two sisters, Thelma Carpenter and Geraldine Young; two brothers, Leonard Wagner and William Wagner; two stepbrothers, John Hairston and Richard Hairston; and stepsister, Mary Richburg.

He will be missed by his family and friends, and will forever hold a place in our hearts.

Visitation will be 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church, with a celebration of life service at 10 a.m.

Ministry of comfort and dignity entrusted to L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.

(special notice)