He was born on Sept. 25, 1925 in Cambridge, Idaho to Arnold and Corabelle Greene. Virgil was raised and attended school in Weiser, Idaho. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1943. Virgil served in the European Theater for 15 months during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to Weiser.
Virgil was united in marriage to Joan Townley on Dec. 27, 1950 in Winnemucca, Nev. They lived in Weiser where Virgil worked on the railroad and during the summer fire season as a smoke jumper in McCall, Idaho from 1948 through 1950. In 1954 they moved to Ordinance and Virgil went to work at the Umatilla Army Depot. He worked as an ammunition inspector for 28 years before retiring in 1982. Virgil enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, woodworking, and had a passion for gardening. He was a former member of the Hermiston Eagles Lodge.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan Greene, Hermiston; sons, Jeff Greene & wife Carol, Hermiston, Gary Greene & wife Sandi, Stanfield; daughters, Janice Gibbs & husband Zane, Stanfield, and Debra Hickey, Hermiston; grandchildren, Jeffrey, Cassie, Ryan, Travis, Mateo, Nickola, Thalia, Lindsey, Zane, & Chance; 16 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Floyd, Ernie, Orval, and his twin brother, Vernon, and two sisters, Lila and Lois.
A celebration of life service with military honors will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston.
Those who wish may make contributions in Virgil’s memory to Alzheimer’s Research at 1650 NW Natio Parkway, Suite 190, Portland, Ore., 97209.
Please sign the online guest book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
