Anderson Funeral Home
Homeserving families for over 70 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222
Virgil Davis
Virgil L. Davis, 93, of Augusta, passed away with his wife at his side early Sunday evening, July 20, 2014 at the Augusta Area Nursing Home.
Virgil was born March 17, 1921 in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, and moved with his family to Fairchild in 1925. For his elementary education he attended Pettisville rural school and high school in Columbus, Wisconsin. Virgil was united in marriage to Marcella Jankowsky, to this union their son Jeffrey was born on July 22, 1943. Jeffrey preceded the couple in death, passing away as a result of an automobile accident while working as a policeman in Los Angeles, California.
Virgil entered the United States Army in May of 1942, serving in the infantry and as a gunner while on ship during the South Pacific Campaign. He returned back to the United States from the Philippines on a banana boat on Christmas day of 1945, and was honorably discharged in January of 1946 as a Corporal Tech. 5. Virgil was a lifetime member of the V.F.W.
After his return from W.W. 2, Virgil studied engineering and in 1948, he joined Waukesha Motor Company in the service department. In January of 1953, the company transferred him to Los Angeles, California, where he was introduced into the oil field industry, working in field service and sales. With this position he was involved with all aspects of large engines, which took him to Mexico, Central and South America, Alaska, working on off shore drilling rigs, fishing and tug boats engines, and drilling rigs in Africa. Virgil retired from Waukesha Motors in 1971, and then worked an additional 3 years for Orange County before going back in an equipment distribution capacity for Waukesha Motors, working another 7 years.
Virgil's wife Marcella passed away in May of 1998, and he eventually returned to Wisconsin in 2002, making his home in Augusta. While in Augusta, he was reunited with his childhood sweetheart Lorraine Pettis Hardesty and the two were married on April 29, 2003. Virgil was baptized at St. Paul's Lutheran Church as an adult.
Virgil lived 52 years in California, where he enjoyed swimming in the Pacific Ocean and had a fondness for cars and motorcycles of all kinds. Because of his wonderful voice, he was often asked to sing for weddings and funerals while living in Burbank. When he moved back to Wisconsin, he took great pleasure in going for drives with Lorraine, looking for deer, turkeys, or searching out a frog pond just to listen them. Throughout his life Virgil always loved people and especially babies. If he didn't get the opportunity to properly greet you, you at least got a friendly Virgil wave.
Virgil will be dearly missed by Lorraine his wife of 11 years; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Pettis and Sylvia Bertrang both of Eau Claire; nieces, Marilyn Radke of Milwaukee, Nicole (Jon) Simons of Muskego; numerous grand nieces and nephews and their families , cousins, and special friends, Barb and Damon LaRose of Augusta, and their family. He was also preceded in death by his parents and very special “Mom and Dad”, Dr. Harold Langworthy and his wife Beulah.
A visitation will be held Thursday evening from 4 to 7 p.m. and from noon until 1:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta. A private service will be held Friday afternoon at the funeral home with Pastor Ricky Bertels officiating. Burial will be in the Fairchild Cemetery. Lorraine would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of the Augusta Area Nursing Home for the loving care and compassion they showed to Virgil.
