Daniel Wagoner laid to rest

An Upstate soldier killed in Iraq was buried in Greenville County on Saturday.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Wagoner, 28, who was from Pelzer, joined the Army in 2000 and was serving his second tour in Iraq. He was killed in a roadside bombing last week in Iraq.

Wagoner's family said that they were notified of his death last Thursday.

Reading words from the commander of Wagoner's unit, Brigadier Gen. Jeffrey Foley said, '' He was the heart and soul of the unit. He was a jack of all trades and that's why everybody wanted him.'

Wagoner's father, Scott Wagoner, said his son hated to lose when playing video games.

He said he could imagine his son's last words.

'I can just hear him, in my mind, saying, 'Ah, this really stinks.' That's just how he was -- 'Oh well. We'll just get up and do it again,' you know. Some things you just can't spit on, rub dirt in, and it will be alright.'

Wagoner's mother said that he was expected to return to South Carolina on leave next month.

Wagoner, a third-generation soldier, graduated from Woodmont High School, where he was a member of the track team.

His wife and 3-year-old daughter live in Texas, but were in the Upstate as he was laid to rest.

Wagoner's two sisters and parents live in Pelzer.

His church family said that Wagoner was a true believer who was baptized ten years ago.

Rev. Ron Suttles said, 'He's running up and down the streets of glory. He's happy. And if you ever want to see Daniel Wagoner again, you'd better become a believer and do just like he did. Be saved, be baptized, and get in the Army of God.'

The Army presented Wagoner's family with his Purple Heart and a bronze star for bravery.

He was laid to rest at Cannon Memorial Park in Fountain Inn.

From WYFF 4

Related Link:
Daniel (Terry D.) Wagoner dies 'of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations'