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Virgil Lee Smith, 85, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away peacefully July 29, 2023, at the Henderson Hospital, in Henderson, Nevada. He was born June 26, 1938, in Elgin, and grew up on a farm in the Pleasant Grove Community, where he attended the Pleasant Grove tworoom school.
Virgil was his teacher’s pet and was nicknamed Billy Button by her, as he reminded her of a young boy, in a novel, named Billy Button, who had fallen in, and was rescued from a well.
Virgil attended Elgin High School, but left before graduation.
Virgil had many jobs during his working years including Walkers Austex Chili in Austin. He later ran his own gas service station in Elgin.
After moving to California to take a job with the Aluminum Company of America, where he worked for a long time, he left and went to work with the Forest Service, driving a fire plow. He also worked for a large farming operator, driving a large tractor.
On Oct. 13, 1968, Virgil married Mary McDonnel Smith in Reno, Nevada, and they have one son, Johnnie, born June 11, 1970, and four children from Mary’s previous marriage.
After moving from California to Las Vegas Nevada in 1998, he worked for MGM, Prima Donna and Whiskey Pete’s, operating an overhead train between casinos in Prima, Nevada.
Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie and Alice Smith; brothers, Marvin, Emzy, Melvin, Garland and Norman; sisters, Lola Smith, Bonnis Sharp and Burtreal Fiskland.
Virgil is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; son Johnnie; stepchildren, Elowyne Marguez of Marina, California, Cheryl Linden of Cave Creek, Arizona, Mark Smith of Liberty, Missouri, and Carl Smith of Mountain View, Wyoming; brother, Sammey Smith of La Grange; sisters, Juanita Poldrack of Thrall and Rita King of Granger.
Memorial services will be held Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. at the Lawhon Springs School House (Museum) at 2263 FM 619.
Interment by the family in the Beaukiss Cemetery, following the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Beaukiss Cemetery Assoc, 201 Spur 619 Elgin, Texas 78621.
