Bruce Allen Waggener

August 06, 2007 11:00 pm

April 20, 1947-Aug. 4, 2007

In the evening hours of Aug. 4, 2007, as the water was still and he was at his favorite place in the world, his cabin, Bruce passed away.

Bruce was a hero to his daughter Allison, his son Brandon's best friend and an angel sent from Heaven for his wife, Connie. Everyone who ever met him adored Bruce. How could he not be with those sparkling blue eyes and mischievous grin?!

Bruce was born April 20, 1947 to Willard and Berneice Waggener in Billings. He graduated from Billings Senior High in 1965. He served his country as a Navy Seal UDT during the Vietnam War.

Bruce was employed by Dana Motors for the past 30 years as a Service Manager. He was highly respected by his co-workers and customers alike. Bruce was also a lifetime member of the Billings Motorcycle Club and shared many exciting adventures and made many lifetime friendships.

Bruce and Connie met when Bruce ran his car into Mary Lou's Angle Inn, where Connie was working. She turned to her co-worker and said, "That's the man I'm going to marry!" And what a marriage they had! Through Connie's many illnesses and surgeries starting six months after they got married on Oct. 10, 1970, Bruce never left Connie's side. He has always been her rock, and the days, weeks, and months ahead will be painfully difficult.

Bruce and Connie's life changed the day Allison came into it on April 3, 1979. She was the apple of her daddy's eye and he adored her. On Aug. 20, 1984, a son Brandon completed their family. Brandon was never far from Bruce's side, whether it was in the garage or at the cabin.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Berneice; a sister-in-law, Pattie Drain, and father-in-law, Hank Drain.

He is survived by his wife, Connie; daughter Allison and her husband Darren and their children Braelyn and Landen; and his son Brandon and his fiancee Sarey. His sister Sandy, her husband Sid Strong and their family and his Aunt Laura and Uncle Floyd Sanwald and their family also survive him. Bruce will also be greatly missed by his mother-in-law, Dorothy Drain, who thought Bruce was the best thing since peanut butter and jelly! Also missing Bruce will be his brother-in-law, Don Drain, wife Marva and their family, niece Whitney Webb, Uncle Bill and Aunt Carol Drain and two sisters-in-law, Cathy and her husband Ray Koschel and their family and Sally and her husband Tim Paulson and their family. We have all had the honor of calling Bruce "brother" for the past 37 years since he married our sister. He was our hero.

Rest in peace, dear husband, dad and brother. You will be forever missed. As granddaughter Braelyn said, "Papa's got a broken heart and went to Heaven."

Memorial services will be held on Friday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m. at Smith Funeral Chapel Downtown. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made, through the family, towards a memorial area to be dedicated at Deadman's Basin in honor of Bruce, or to Trinity Lutheran Church.

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/bruce-allen-waggener/article_175427f6-3c7d-5b85-b934-b5ead584c470.html#ixzz3MJXPg774