(From Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home)William “Bill” Charles Virdon, (also known as the Quail, Skipper, Creep Mouse, Dad, Granddad), age 90, of Springfield, MO, passed away peacefully of natural causes on November 23, 2021, surrounded by his family.
Bill was born in Hazel Park, Michigan on June 9, 1931, to his parents, Charles Virdon and Bertha Marley Virdon. After a move to West Plains, MO at age 12, Bill became quite an athlete and was involved in multiple sports at West Plains High School, where he graduated in 1949. He was recruited to play basketball at Drury College in Springfield, MO, but after the first semester he accepted an offer to play baseball and went on to become one of the most respected center fielders in baseball at that time.
“The Quail” began his professional baseball career with the Independence (Kansas) Yankees of the Class D Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri (KOM) League in 1950, where he was managed by Malcolm “Bunny” Mick. Bunny was instrumental in helping him begin his baseball career of 65 years. Bill played major league baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates for 12 years.
After retiring as a player, he coached and managed the Pittsburgh Pirates, the New York Yankees, the Houston Astros, and the Montreal Expos and became known as “Skipper” to his players. He continued to be involved in the baseball world until 2015 when he permanently retired.
Even though, baseball was his life, Bill was a devoted husband, dad, and granddad who showed his constant love to his family. Bill’s wife and daughters supported him throughout his early career by accompanying him every year to spring training in Florida and in the summer to whatever town he was playing for at the time. Once he began managing, his grandchildren, who fondly referred to him as “Creep Mouse” enjoyed following his career, also. “Granddad” taught both his children and grandchildren how to be a friend and how to receive friendship, how to serve community and church, and how to love the game, any game, especially baseball!
Even though, baseball was his life, Bill was a devoted husband, dad, and granddad who showed his constant love to his family. Bill’s wife and daughters supported him throughout his early career by accompanying him every year to spring training in Florida and in the summer to whatever town he was playing for at the time. Once he began managing, his grandchildren, who fondly referred to him as “Creep Mouse” enjoyed following his career, also. “Granddad” taught both his children and grandchildren how to be a friend and how to receive friendship, how to serve community and church, and how to love the game, any game, especially baseball!
This strong, unassuming, and quiet role model is known by those who knew him well as not just a baseball man, but also as the man with the firm handshake, the no-nonsense work ethic, the quick wit and unexpected sense of humor, the deer and quail hunter, the handball player, and a regular spectator at many Springfield area sporting and musical events (many times watching his own grandchildren perform).
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Bertha Virdon and his sister Corrine Andrews. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Shirley Shemwell Virdon; three daughters: Deborah Lutes (Gary), Linda Holmes (Bill), Lisa Brown (Kevin); seven grandchildren: Shannon Merced, Mandie O’Hara (Chris), Andrew Miller, Brett Holmes (Jodie), Christina Elsenraat (Jeff), Michelle Viles (Nick), Scotty Brown (Paige); thirteen great-grandchildren: Roberto Merced, Lauren O’Hara, Courtnie Miller, Chloe Merced, Austin O’Hara, Ashton Isbell, Camryn Miller, Paige Elsenraat, Ella Viles, Savannah Holmes, William Elsenraat, Harper Holmes, Ryan Elsenraat; brother- in- laws, Ron Shemwell and Jim Andrews; nieces- Cathy Andrews, Cindy Shemwell Lee (Monte), Lindsey Andrews Argo (David); nephews- David Andrews, William “Bill” Andrews, Steven Shemwell, and many other great nieces and nephews. Bill also leaves behind a host of close friends that he considered part of his family.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Turners Rock and Phoenix Home and Hospice Care for providing Bill with the best care over the past few months. A special thanks goes to the King’s Way United Methodist Church pastor, Rev. Karen Hayden , David Jerome, (Bill’s biographer and friend), special friends and memorial speakers, Ned Reynolds and Sam Hamra, Bill’s oldest granddaughter, Shannon Merced, for sharing her memories through the eyes of one of his grandchildren, vocalist -June Hamra, his youngest grandson, Scotty Brown, for leading the congregation in a favorite hymn, and the staff at Gorman- Scharpf Funeral Home for their help in planning, organizing, and implementing the celebration of life memorial service.
Bill, Quail, Skipper, Creep Mouse, Dad, Granddad, your memory will live forever in our hearts. You are and always will be a Hall of Famer in every way!
Services will be held on Tuesday, November 30, at King’s Way United Methodist Church under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at 9:30 in the King’s Way Chapel (masks required) and a memorial service at 12 noon (masks suggested) in the King’s Way Sanctuary. A private inurnment committal service will be held immediately following the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions should be made to Rett Syndrome Research Trust (RSRT.org), PKD Foundation (pkdcure.org), The Council of Churches of the Ozarks (ccozarks.org), or a Baseball/Softball Scholarship at Missouri State University, Drury University, Southeast Missouri State University, or Baptist Bible College.
No comments:
Post a Comment