Douglas Bennett Wagner , of Blanco, passed away the morning of Sunday, April 28, 2024.  Douglas was born in Blanco County on June 30, 1926, to P.B. and Erma Wagner.  In his early days he would help his father, who ran the "Welcome Inn" sweeping, cleaning, and making sure everything was set for his dad's "poker night", cards, poker chips, and place for the "pool" customers.

He attended Blanco Schools where he caught the eye of his first love, Maxine Liesmann.  He had to put that on hold for short time as he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on April 24, 1944.  Being only 17 years old, his mother and father had to sign him up.  He was stationed in San Diego, CA aboard the USS Highlands and was served in the Pacific.

Following the war, he rushed back home to Blanco to court his first love, Maxine.  As he recalls, he had to get home before anyone else courted and married her. He finally won her over and they were married on September 14, 1946. Douglas and Maxine enjoyed spending time with family and friends and especially Saturday nights at Twin Sisters Hall.

On December 29, 1949, daughter, Connie Ann was born and five years later a son, Perry Lynn was born October 18, 1954. As the kids grew up, Douglas was active in all their extracurricular activities.  At one time he was the baseball coach for his son's little league baseball team and when he was not coaching, he was serving as an umpire. He preferred coaching to umpiring.

Douglas worked for Blanco County, Pct. 1, Road and Bridge, retiring in 2000 after 40 years of service.

Following retirement, he was a devoted husband when Maxine became ill and was in the nursing home. As loyalty goes, he visited her 3 to 4 times a day.  He would set with her and watch television, watch movies, play bingo, and even polish her nails.

Also, during retirement his daily routine was, visit Maxine, go to the Bowling Alley for breakfast and lunch and in the evening it was a cold beer (maybe more) with the group at the round table.  He always told us they were trying to solve the world's problems.

Doug loved animals and the Wagner household had many furry friends, mostly dogs.  Even in his last years, he always enjoyed having dogs visit him in the assisted living facility.

He is survived by his daughter, Connie Wagner Russell; son, Perry Lynn Wagner and his wife Jan; grandchildren, Stacy Bauer and husband Brian, Kari Behrends and husband Wayne; Shelee Padget and Garrett Granberg and seven great grandchildren.

Doug was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine; parents, P.B. and Erma Wagner; sisters, Hazel Sparkman and Virginia Robinson; brother, Wallace "Tooter" Wagner and his in-laws, Rudolph and Erna Liesmann, sisters in law and brothers in law, nieces, nephews and many close friends.

Visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 PM Monday, May 6, 2024, at Crofts - Crow Funeral Home in Blanco where funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday morning with Rev. David Mayer officiating.  Mr. Wagner will be laid to rest next to his wife Maxine in the Blanco Cemetery.

In lie of flowers, donation may be made to the charity of your choice.

Following the service a reception will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.

The family thanks everyone for their kind words, thoughts, and prayers.