Obituary: Louis A. "Lou" Wagner

Louis Albert Wagner, “PianoLou,” 80, of Orlando, Florida, passed away Friday, Feb. 5, at Cornerstone Hospice surrounded by his loving family. Born in Titusville, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Louis A. Wagner Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Swartslander.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Betty Wagner Butcher, and brother-in-law, Paul Butcher, of Titusville. He was a 1953 graduate of Titusville High School and attended Berklee School of Music.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps and then in the U.S. Air Force, during which time he spent years in the band and also in flight crews during the Vietnam War, retiring as a Master Sergeant. Lou received several military awards, including two Air Medals.

During his retirement Lou had two passions. He spent his time playing the piano professionally and traveling. He has traveled to every U.S. state, as well as many overseas countries – including touring Italy; Cape Town, Africa; and Cairo, Egypt. He volunteered at First Baptist Church Orlando for many years, sharing his love of music to many wonderful people. He had the honor of producing a CD titled “Piano Lou One” showcasing just a few of the many favorite thousands of songs that he knew.

He is survived by a wife of 51 years, Angela, of Orlando, Florida; a daughter, Alecia Wagner Helm and her husband, Tim, of Bluffton, South Carolina; a daughter, Elizabeth Wagner Williams, and her husband, Garr, of Orlando; four grandchildren; Matt Helm, Heath Helm, Margaret Williams and Ryan Garr Louis Williams. Lou has two great-grandchildren, Gavin and Lina Helm.

He was a fighter and strong role model with never-ending jokes to make people laugh – even through the hardships in life. He will be forever in our hearts – and in the music we are privileged to hear day in and day out. A memorial service to celebrate Lou’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 5, 2016, at Marie Williams Chapel, located at the First Baptist Church Orlando, Florida.