- Date Of Birth: July 5, 1918
- Date Of Death: February 27, 2012
- State: Missouri
Burnette Anthony Wagner, known to all as B.A., was born July 5, 1918, in Hermann, the only child of Hugo and Myrtle Walker Wagner. He graduated from Hermann High School in 1937 and attended the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Central Missouri State College. On August 14, 1940 he was married to LaVerne Lenger of Rhineland, a marriage marked by 71 anniversaries. To this marriage two daughters, LaNette and Diane, were born.
In January 1939 B.A. began his banking career at the Hermann Bank. He served as a bank examiner for the State of Missouri and as a federal bank examiner from 1943-1945. In 1945 he was named Vice President of the Hermann Bank and then president in 1964, in which position he served until 1974. From 1974-1984 he was employed by Commerce Warren County Bank, serving as Executive Vice President and then President. B.A. retired in 1984.
During his years in the business community, he was also actively involved in civic affairs, filling positions as treasurer of the Gasconade County Tuberculosis Association, treasurer of the Gasconade County Red Cross, treasurer of the Girl Scout Neighborhood Association, member of the Lions Club, member of the Board of Public Works, member of the school board and its president for five years, president of the Hermann Area District Hospital Board for six years, president of the Hermann PTA for twelve years, and president of Historic Hermann for twelve years.
B.A.’s real love in life, however, was music.
