Willard L. Vipperman

Willard L. Vipperman Willard Lee Vipperman, 77, of Rural Retreat died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010, at his home. A memorial service will be held Sunday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. at the Sharon Baptist Church with the Revs. Jack Rutherford and Steve Johnson officiating. He was born Dec. 6, 1932, in Atkins, son of the late Dan Lee and Ida Clark Vipperman. He was a retired veteran of the U.S. Air Force and retired from Merillat Industries. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Maude Frances Blevins Vipperman; a brother, Charles Vipperman; and a sister, Shirley V. Brandau. Survivors include his wife, Mary Vipperman; four daughters and sons-in-law, Debra and William Oliver of Radford, Mary V. and Harold Pruitt of Bland, Tammy V. Parker of Rural Retreat, and Teresa and Gene Lambert of Radford; a brother, Dan Vipperman Jr. of Glade Spring; five sisters, Lucy Bell of Rural Retreat, Norma Hale and Rebecca Winesett, both of Galax, Betty Jo Snapp of Richmond and Frances Dabney of Wilmington, N.C.; special nieces, Angela Hall, Danyelle Kelly and Susan Vipperman; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. (service time) Sunday at the church or anytime at the home. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southwest Virginia or St. Jude Children's Hospital. Lindsey Funeral Home in Rural Retreat is in charge of the arrangements.