William "Bill" S. Wagner, Jr.

Bill left this world peacefully after a hard-fought battle with end stage kidney disease on September 27, 2026 in Goodyear, AZ.

A truly charismatic persona from day one, Bill was born to William Stuart Wagner, Sr. and Mary Margaret (McKinney) Wagner in Quincy, Illinois. He was a 1965 graduate of Quincy High School where he was a contra string bass player in the concert and stage bands, as well as portraying the Blue Devil mascot for basketball. While in high school, Bill also played contra string bass in the Quincy Symphony and String Quartet. He served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1971, achieving the designation of SP5 Personnel Specialist, as well as earning the Expert - Rifle designation. After serving at NATO, Bill was honorably discharged.

Upon return to Quincy from his Army service, Bill met, and fell head over heels for Trish, who was a teacher for preschool deaf and preschool handicapped children. They married on June 10, 1972 in Monticello, IA and had two daughters, Kelly Michele and Stephanie Ann. Bill always said that the proudest thing in his life was marrying Trish and having two beautiful daughters.

Bill finished his college career at Quincy College with a Bachelor of Science in Management in 1974, where he proudly received straight A’s and honors. His first sales job out of college was with The Packaging Corporation of America, calling on new accounts selling corrugated boxes throughout Iowa. Also during this time, Bill entered the Masonic Lodge in Marshalltown, IA rising to the level of 3rd Degree Master Mason.

The automotive aftermarket industry was where Bill witnessed his greatest career achievements for over 34 years. Beginning with DFM/Deflecta Shield, Bill launched his sales and marketing career, becoming the Vice President of Sales & Marketing. From there, Bill provided consultation and helped build a multitude of automotive aftermarket companies throughout the country. Over the last 16 years of his career, Bill helped build Winfield Consumer Products (Husky Liners), as Vice President of Sales & Marketing and partial owner.

Bill loved the automotive aftermarket industry and devoted countless hours to SEMA, serving on numerous committees, as well as sitting on the SEMA Board of Directors and as Chairman of the SEMA Show. Relationships with his manufacturing reps were also an important aspect of his career and Bill developed lifelong friendships with many. He had a few favorite sayings which his reps knew by heart, including ‘A sale without profit is a sale without honor’ and ‘Keep Smil’n - Keep Sell’n’.

Bill loved hunting and combing the fields of Iowa with his beloved german shorthair pointers. He also loved trap shooting, field hunts, and anything involving buying and shooting guns. Bill rediscovered his love for radio control airplanes flying both in Coldwater and in Winfield. His passion for golf started at a young age with caddying and then playing that continued throughout his life.

Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Trish (Adams) Wagner, his true north star; daughters Kelly Wagner (Phoenix) and Stephanie (Bobby) Kethcart (Phoenix); grandchildren, John and Charlotte Kethcart; a sister, Sue Cox; brothers, John Wagner and Steve Wagner; and many extended family members and lifelong friends fortunate enough to know and love him. Bill was preceded in death by his parents.

Bill left every gathering singing a favorite Dale Evans and Roy Rogers song. It only seems fitting that with this final tribute, we sing Happy trails to you – ‘til we meet again!

A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 24th, 2026 at Pebblecreek Tuscany Falls Ballroom from 9:30am -12:30pm in Goodyear, AZ. Please note Pebblecreek is a gated community and can only be entered by way of Pebblecreek Parkway and Clubhouse Drive.

A private Inurnment Service will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Monticello, IA.

A Celebration of Life following Inurnment for family and friends will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at Lubben Vineyards from 1:00pm - 3:00pm in Anamosa, IA.

Memorials Can Be Made in Bill’s memory to Quincy High School Fine Arts Program (orchestra) in memory of William Wagner, Jr Class of 1965 https://www.qpsfoundation.org/make-a-donation/ OR

SEMA Foundation scholarship in memory of W.S. Bill Wagner https://netforum.sema.org/eweb/dynamicpage.aspx?webcode=SMScholarshipFundNoLogin