Charles (Charley) Raymond Wagner, 61, of Crump, Tennessee left this life in Tupelo, Mississippi, to find peace in heaven with the Lord on Thursday, October 2, 2014. He leaves behind his wife, Catherine (Kate) Riefler Wagner.
Born in Waupun, Wisconsin on January 24, 1953, he considered himself a “recovering Yankee”. As a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he decided not to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather in becoming a lawyer, but instead followed his passion for music. As an accomplished guitar and banjo “picker”, he jammed with many bluegrass legends over the years, encouraging others that wanted to learn. As one friend stated, “Charley, back in 1968, you taught us white Northern boys how to play the blues.”
In addition to his wife, Charley is survived by stepdaughter, Christine Wilson (Jason), granddaughters, Cheyenne Wilson and Shaina Christian, and great grandchildren, Cameron and Lilith, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends.
The family requests memorials be sent in Charley’s name to:
Sanctuary House Hospice
5159 W. Main Street
Tupelo, Mississippi 38801
