Merril Blake Wagner was born in Holdrege Nebraska on March 27,1935, and passed peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on July 1, 2024.
He was predeceased by his parents Merril Wagner and Marvel Lasley Wagner.
He attended Holdrege High School and graduated in 1953. Blake was drafted into the Army in 1957 and served as a Heavy Weapons Infantry Man for two years overseas in Germany, earning a Good Conduct Medal, Expert Badge, Marksman Badge for Rifle, and Marksman Badge for small machine gun. He was honorably discharged in 1960.
He married, and is survived by his wife, Frankie Wagner, in 1966 in Norfolk, Va at her family home, and went on to build a career in the construction industry as a superintendent for Leo J. Martone and Associates, and Jim Sykes, builder. He left his mark on the cities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Harrisonburg Va, Columbia, SC, and Washington DC in the form of high-rise hotels, university buildings, and homes. He also built a family with Frankie by having two daughters whom he is survived by, Hope W. Twine, and her spouse Michael Twine, and their children Sydney and Ryan, and Holly W. Digges, her spouse Ralph Digges and their children Everett and Lauren, his sister Gloria Feusner of Holdrege NE, brother Jim Wagner of Holdrege NE, and their extended families.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad in Blake’s honor. Their address is 740 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach VA 23451.
A Celebration of Life is planned at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Maestas Chapel, at 1801 Baltic Avenue, Virginia Beach, 23451 at 2 pm on Saturday July 13, 2024.
