Virgil Lewis “Tooter” Ledgerwood was born in Birch Tree, Missouri on November 15, 1937 to Lewis Ural and Omie Lee (Wright) Ledgerwood. He departed this life to be with the Lord on Monday, June 8, 2020 in Birch Tree, Missouri at the age of 82.
Virgil was married to Patricia Shepherd on August 11, 1956 at Thomasville, Missouri. This union was blessed with the addition of four children, Rhonda Louise, Michael Lee, Beverly Ann and Virgil “Scott” Lewis. In later years he was joined in marriage to Davette Weaver, and with this union Virgil gained an additional son, David.
Virgil was better known by the name of Tooter. Most people have no idea how he came to be known by this name. When Tooter was a small boy he ran everywhere he went and was always overheard saying “toot-toot” as he ran along. A family friend, by the name of Sister Johnson, overheard him coming through the house yelling toot-toot and said “there comes Tooter”, and the name stuck.
Virgil is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; wife, Davette; infant son, Michael Lee; brothers, Tom, Leo, Edward, JD, and infant brother, Oscar; and sisters, Mary, Sylvia, and Juanita.
He leaves to mourn, sons, Virgil “Scott” Ledgerwood (Cheryl) of Williamstown, NJ and David Ledgerwood (Madeline) of Mountain View, MO; daughters, Rhonda Shepherd (Mike) of Stotts City, MO and Beverly Craig (Donnie) of Birch Tree, MO; and six grandchildren, Eliza, Becky, ShaShauna, Heather, Jeff, Jared, September, Matthew and Kevin. He was known as Poppy Tooter to JJ, Summer, Thomas, Chesney, Hayden, Cheyenne and his wood splitting buddy, Squirt. Also surviving are brothers, Bob Ledgerwood (Bernice), Cape Girardeau, MO and Tim Ledgerwood (Nancy) Reed Springs, MO; and sister, Sadie Dodson, Eminence, MO. He also leaves to mourn, his companion Thunder, several nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends.
Virgil served four years in the United States Army. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, and was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Virgil spent his early years of employment working in several different areas from helping his dad in the family lumber industry, and as a local truck driver, with the most memorable being the 37 years he spent employed by Junior E. DePriest Trucking Company. At which time, he was better known by his CB handle, Speedball. Upon retirement Virgil was acknowledged for the over 3 ½ million accident-free miles he had driven over the course of his career.
At an early age Virgil accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Later in life he rededicated his life and was an active member of the Church of God of Prophecy at Montier, Missouri. Virgil attended church faithfully until his health declined. He always arrived early for services to open the church doors and to greet his church family as they arrived.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2020, in Yarber Mortuary chapel, Birch Tree, with Pastor Jeff Brake officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 10, 2020 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. also at the chapel. Interment will be in Bethlehem Cemetery, Birch Tree, Missouri. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
