Virgil Donaldson Wheaton's Obituary
Virgil Donaldson Wheaton
Virgil Donaldson Wheaton left this earth on Sunday August 10, 2003 to be reunited with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and those he loved that preceded him. He was born in Houston, Texas on September 7, 1923 to Myrtle and A.D. Wheaton. He lived a successful life by any measurement. He spent his early years in Texas Towns of McClain, Van, Groesbeck and Longview. At the age of nineteen, he became a soldier like so many young men of his generation. After his induction into the U.S. Army at Camp Walters, he traveled on the ?Queen Mary? to England, and then on to the beaches of Normandy in France. As a member of the 552nd Anti Aircraft Division, he landed at Omaha Beach on June 12th, 1944, just six days after D-Day. He participated in battles at Omaha Beach, Folese Gap, and the Battle of the Bulge, Remagen Bridge and the Ruhr Pocket before his discharge on October 31, 1945. On the day he returned to Longview he met his future bride, Bonnie Maxine McMillan at the Harmon General Hospital post office where she worked with his sister, LaDell. After a courtship of four months, they eloped on February 23, 1946 and have been married for 57 wonderful years. Two years after their marriage, they started their family with their firstborn daughter Diana, followed soon by Cheryl and Donald.
Virgil worked for Exxon Pipeline for 39 years until his retirement in Sept. 1984. After spending his working years in Pampa, Cisco, Dublin, Odessa, and Abilene, Virgil and Maxine returned to Longview in May of 1985 to enjoy retirement in the place they started their life together and to be near their family. Retirement afforded him the opportunity to enjoy his lifelong passion for the game of golf. He started playing around the age of twelve, being first introduced to the game by his father. He shot his first round of ?par? golf at the age of fifteen. After his health no longer allowed him to play the game, he continued to enjoy watching golf tournaments on television up to his last days.
He loved his family and was proud of each and every one of them. In addition to his three children, he was equally proud of their spouses and especially his eight grandsons. He loved to hear about their latest adventures, endeavors, or sporting events. After having only grandsons Virgil and Maxine were blessed with a great-granddaughter, Courtney Diana, on January 23 of this year.
Virgil was a member of the Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister LaDell Whitten. He is survived by his wife Maxine; his children, Diana Lynn and Ron Newcomb of Atlanta, Georgia; Cheryl and Robert Laffitte of Mansfield, Louisiana; and Don and Susie Wheaton of Arlington, Texas. In addition, he leaves behind his grandsons, Dr. Jared Lynn and his wife Kristine; Ryan Lynn and Brett Lynn of Atlanta; Rob, Matt, and Brad Laffitte of Mansfield, Louisiana; Ben and Ross Wheaton of Arlington, Texas; and his great granddaughter Courtney Diana of Atlanta. He is also survived by his siblings Royce Wheaton and wife Betty of Rowlett, Texas; Rusty Wheaton and his wife Jane of Houston, Texas; and Mary Wedgeworth and her husband Joe Dan of Carthage, Texas. Also he leaves behind his brothers and sisters-in-law, Gladys and Bill Dean of White Oak, Bill and Cindy McMillan and Lewis and Peggy McMillan of Longview, along with many beloved nieces and nephews and lifelong friends.
While his smile will be greatly missed, his family rejoices in knowing that he is resting peacefully and awaiting the time when they will all be together again. The family will receive visitors on Monday August 11, 2003 from 6to8 pm at Rader Funeral Home. Services will be on Tuesday August 12, 2003 at 2:00 pm at Greggton United Methodist Church followed by burial at Lakeview Cemetery. The family requests that memorials be sent to Greggton United Methodist Church and Lifecare Hospice in honor of his faithful caregivers, Loretta, Mindy and Roxanne. Jesus said, ?I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever live and believes in me will never die.? John 11:25.
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