William Edward Wanger
December 6, 1940 ~ February 9, 2023 (age 82)
Obituary
Wanger, William E (Bill) born Friday, December 6, 1940, went to be with our Lord on Thursday, February 9, 2023. Bill was born in Hibbing, Minnesota and at 18 years old, after graduation from Wadena High School in Minnesota, he entered the military in the Army and was stationed at KAFB where he met Ann (Annie, Andie, Andalecia ) Saiz on Sunday, February 14, 1960, at a dance on the base. It was love at first sight for Bill and he had to work hard to get Ann's attention. When he did, they got married on Saturday, August 13, 1960.
He is survived by his second wife, Grace Otero Wanger of 9 years; daughter, Donna Wanger, sister, Marie Fierek and husband, Jim; stepdaughter Elizabeth Luna and husband, Jose; step-son Lawrence Otero and wife, Marissa; step-granddaughter Alexis Luna; step-grandsons, LJ and Maximo; sisters in-law, Sarah Molina husband, Ramon, Luella Rael and husband Ricky, Mable Baca and Frank Torres, Velma Wolfel, Rose Aragon and husband Carlos, Rita Monte and husband Daniel, brothers-in-law, Juan Baca and wife Bertha, Jimmy Gutierrez, Ernest McBride and numerous step nieces and step nephews.He is survived by his daughter Donna Wanger; sister, Marie Fierek, and husband, Jim. sister-in-law, Julie (Julia) Garcia ; nieces, Debbie Jaramillo and husband Ruben; Anita Barker; Grace Maestas and husband Joe; nephew, Walter Garcia and wife Lola; godsons, Tommy Sumruld and Matthew Peralta; goddaughters Marie Fierek and Debbie Jaramillo; several great- and great-great-nieces and nephews; numerous cousins and friends and three fur baby grandchildren, cats Sabrina, Hazel and Muffin. Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Annie (Ann/Andie/Andalecia) of almost 52 years, and his parents, Othelia Wanger, and Edward Wanger; father-in-law, Alcario Saiz; brother-in-law, Gene Garcia, and his niece and nephew Carolyn Peralta and husband Lawrence.
Bill (Willie) worked as a machinist at Sandia National Laboratories for 35 years and retired in 1999. He also worked as a security guard at Sandia National Laboratories for about 7 years, and then worked part time for John Hopkins University as a liaison for DOD for the retirees of Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Labs, and White Sands Missile Range for about 10 years.
Bill was a member of the Catholic church at the Church of Ascension where he helped with building projects, was a member of the Legion of Mary in the 1970's. He and Annie worked with marriage enrichment, Weekends of Christian Living, and were also Cursiestas in the 1970s and 1980s. They were also very involved in the church for various other works. Bill was a marching band parent supporter for his daughter Donna at Rio Grande High School and at University of New Mexico through the late 1970's and all the 1980's. He loved helping the Marching Bands and being a Band Parent on trips with UNM Marching Band. Bill loved to travel, and he traveled to 42 states on a Gold Wing Motorcycle he was a member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association from the 1980s to the mid 1990's. He also traveled the USA by car and motor homes he enjoyed traveling. Bill also enjoyed fishing, boating, and camping for numerous years. He especially loved fishing in Minnesota catching Northern Pike fish because these fish were big. In New Mexico he enjoyed catching trout. After Annie died, Bill couldn't go it alone and started dating Grace Otero, they knew each other since 1968. Bill and Grace got married on Saturday, June 1, 2013, they had a huge celebration in Socorro. After they were married, they would travel all over the state of New Mexico and go camping. They enjoyed their life together for 9 years until his death on Thursday, February 9, 2023.
Pallbearers will be all his co-workers from Sandia National Labs that worked as machinist with him: Max McCoy, Dantie Berrie, Tom Gutierrez, Paul Gabaldon, Dave Rodgers, and Bobby Vargas. Honorary pallbearers are Larry Garcia Kenneth Ronquillo. Bill Loved life and being with family and friends to the fullest. He will be missed by many.
We would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Presbyterian Hospital Downtown, Genesis/Ladera Rehab, AmerberCare Home Care and AmberCare Home Hospice.
A Visitation, followed by Rosary will take place on Monday February 27, 2023, starting at 6:00 p.m., at The Church of Ascension, 2150 Raymac Road SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105. A Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Ascension, with a Reception following in the Parish Hall. Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe.
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