Joseph C. Wagoner, 81

Joseph C. Wagoner, 81, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2006, at the V.A. Hospital in Helena from complications after surgery.

Joseph was born March 7, 1924, in Plentywood, the son of Joe and Beulah (Alexander) Wagoner. The family moved to Bigfork when Joseph was 11 years old. He graduated from Bigfork High School.

Joseph entered into the military in 1943 and served in the 3rd Army under General Patton until 1946.

Joseph married Nellie "Bobbi" Buchanan on Dec. 2, 1951.

Joseph ran a dairy farm in Bigfork for 15 years, then started Wagoner's Sand and Gravel.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Columbia Falls. He loved his Lord and loved to tell others about Jesus.

He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Beulah Wagoner; brother, Ray Wagoner; sister, Rose McFarlane; and daughter, Annett Wagoner.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Bobbi Wagoner; daughter, Terresa and Rud Knudsen; daughter, Fay and Gary Schmidt; son, Lyle and Becky Wagoner; son, Steven and Nettie Wagoner; sisters, Fairy Watters and Ruby Strodiemier; brother-in-law, Bob McFarlane; sister-in-law, Retta Powell; 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at noon Thursday, March 9, at First Baptist Church in Columbia Falls, with Pastor Jerry Buchanan officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, March 8, at Johnson Mortuary. Burial will be at 3 p.m. at the Lone Pine Cemetery in Bigfork.