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APACHE JUNCTION, AZ. Virgil Stanley Thill crossed the Great Divide on January 8, 2022 after a short battle with lung cancer. Virgil was born to Rex and Marian (Wilson) Thill in Malta, Montana on October 27, 1940. He was raised in Glasgow and graduated from Glasgow High in 1958.
Upon graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps, in part, because he heard that they had a string of bucking horses at Camp Pendleton. Trained as a mechanic, he rose rapidly in the ranks and received a prestigious assignment to a Military Advisory and Assistance Group in Korea.
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APACHE JUNCTION, AZ. Virgil Stanley Thill crossed the Great Divide on January 8, 2022 after a short battle with lung cancer. Virgil was born to Rex and Marian (Wilson) Thill in Malta, Montana on October 27, 1940. He was raised in Glasgow and graduated from Glasgow High in 1958.
Upon graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps, in part, because he heard that they had a string of bucking horses at Camp Pendleton. Trained as a mechanic, he rose rapidly in the ranks and received a prestigious assignment to a Military Advisory and Assistance Group in Korea.
Upon leaving the Service he did ranch work and rodeoed for a while. A job with Montana Power in Havre helped him learn to operate and maintain construction equipment. He ultimately worked all over the West maintaining road construction and paving equipment.
Virgil eventually retired to Apache Junction, Arizona. Though Macular Degeneration robbed him of much of his vision, he continued to lead an active and productive life. He celebrated 31 years of sobriety last year. He loved the Lord, the NFL, the PRCA and PBR.
Virgil also loved children. His stepkids, nieces and nephews and younger cousins all adored him. He leaves behind his brothers John of Hico, Texas and Larry of Sierra Vista, Arizona, and stepchildren Debbie of Utah and Randy and Eddie of Montana.
Per his wishes, there will be no service. He wanted his remains to be sprinkled in a garden to help it grow. The sprinkling will take place in his native Montana. Please remember Virg with an act of kindness for someone.
"Out Behind the Chutes"
Life is like a buckin' chute, comin' at ya' hard,
get's a little better if yer brother is yer pard.
Big brothers are the best, I'm lucky I got two,
now one of them is gone, and I'm feelin' blue,
They taught me how to swim and how to ride a bike,
in between they took the time to take me for a hike.
Limp and wet, Virg pulled me from the pool,
and as I coughed the water up, he wiped away the drool.
One time, Virgil saved me from electric shock,
you could hear me holler half-way down the block.
They bought our Mom a present and said that I chipped in,
When we played a game of cards, they often let me win.
They taught me how to shift and how to work the clutch,
though at first it seemed, I didn't have the touch.
They took me to the Church and to the Sunday School,
they hoped that I would learn about the Golden Rule.
They bandaged up my cuts and washed away the hurt,
rode me to the ER, when my blood began to spurt.
They grew up and went off a-servin' our great land,
I was so proud of them that they took a stand.
Later they would pave the roads and put the dirt in place,
and I would still appreciate their wisdom and their grace.
Now Virgil, he is gone, we're left to carry on,
no use to fret upon, his final curtain drawn.
He's crossed the Great Divide, made his final ride,
and if I even tried, my tears I could not hide.
One day my time will come, the end of my run,
But Lordy, don't be glum, I'm gonna' find someone.
Saint Peter have you seen him in his cowboy boots?
I'll betcha we can find him out behind the chutes.
LDT Jan 8, '22 |
