William "Bill" Wagisbach was born in St. Louis Mo. on July 1, 1938 to Gus and Rae Wagisbach. He moved to San Antonio, then to Houston in 1943 where he lived for the majority of his 80 years of life. He attended H.I.S.D. schools South MacGregor, Southmayd, Deady Junior High, and Milby High School. He then attended Sam Houston State University where he received his Bachelor of Science and then attended The University of Houston and received his Masters Degree.
Bill entered the U.S. Army after completing the ROTC. Program at Sam Houston State. He trained at Fort Knox in the U.S. Army Armor School and was assigned to A Company, 37th Armor, 4th Medium Battalion. He was released from active duty in order to accept a job with H.I.S.D. as a NDCC (National Defense Cadet Corps) Instructor at Westbury High School. He remained in the Army Reserves until 1968.
His career as an Educator covered 37 years until his 3rd retirement in 2001. He taught History and Social Studies at Westbury High School, The High School for Performing and Visual Arts, Scarborough Junior High, High School for the Health Professions and Gregory Lincoln Middle School. Throughout he was active in Social Studies Curriculum Projects, Washington D.C Close-Up Programs and Magnet School Coordinator.
Quote from Bill "I really enjoyed my years as an educator. I had some outstanding students pass through my classes, some of which I still have contact with. I also met some of the best teachers and administrators I have ever met and they remain my friends. I would do it all over again without hesitation."
Bill was a "Buffalo" a Milby Buffalo through and through. A rare American breed, the nicest, most caring man I have ever met was the underlying theme relayed by everyone who knew him. Beyond organized was also a fitting description. When Bill would put his mind to it, obsession was an understatement, when gathering as much information as possible. As most of his Milby buddies know he would be all in when gathering and putting out info. His Buffalo collection in the hundreds of figurines and statues more then demonstrated his love of the Milby Heritage. Many of his friends looked forward to the yearly collections of comic strips he would collect over a year and distribute them with his Christmas cards basically summing up his year. He and his wife Joyce loved pets. They loved to travel, visiting historical (History Buffs) destinations and playing slots at casinos around America. They loved scheduling vacations around their favorite Bands and Performing Artist. Bill's favorite band was the Country Band Sugarland and in his final hours listened to their songs. Bill and Joyce were married for 30 years when she passed in 2013.
Bill had a heart murmur which resulted in open heart surgery and a valve replacement in 2005. Such replacements last about 10-12 years so Bill made the best of it and went for 13 years. He passed at 4:30am Sunday December 2, 2018 in his family’s presence. Growing up, I remember Dad starting his day at 4:30 as a teacher, so I only see it as fitting he would end his day at this same time. He was 80 and lived a life full of the simplest of joys with no demands and no expectations. Bill is survived by his son Michael and daughter in-law Sherry.
He was my Dad, and he was the best dad ever and more than a friend. Always loved by him, he never raised his voice, never raised a hand and never spoke down to me and supported me to all ends. I wish the world was filled with nothing but dads like mine, maybe flawed but always perfect. He loved me and he always let me know it. My wife and I will miss him greatly, but are beyond grateful for all the great memories we had with Dad and Joyce.
You know a life is great in meaning and purpose when it has left no frowns and only smiles in its wake.
I miss you, but most of all thank you for being my dad.
Michael
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.6