Virgil Lee Wyrick

1940 - 2025

Virgil Lee Wyrick

Born: June 5, 1940 | Died: November 28, 2025

Virgil Lee Wyrick

June 5, 1940, to November 28, 2025

85 years old

Virgil passed away in his home Friday, November 28th, 2025, after battling cancer. He fought bravely to continue taking care of his daughters, Kim and Karen. He was also prepared and eager to meet his Heavenly Father and be reunited with his beloved wife Wilma for eternity.

Virgil was born in Sweetwater to Mary Ellen and Lee Wyrick. He graduated from Sweetwater High School and soon after began working at Bowater Paper Corporation. He retired after forty-two years of dedicated service. He also served in the US Army National Guard for five years.

After marrying Wilma in 1962, they built their home in Sweetwater and later in the Old Sweetwater Community. Virgil and Wilma were dedicated to working hard and taking care of Kim (Kevin) and Karen and later, their grandchildren. Maribeth (Christopher), Anna (Patrick), Kyle (Skylar), Joseph, Ella, Boyd and Jude. They loved their children deeply and contributed to their lives in all ways. Their home was open to each of them all day, every day. Unconditional love, homecooked meals, car repairs, and always a safe place to land at Grandaddy and Grandmama's, no matter what.

Virgil was known to many due to living in the same community his entire life. He knew the town's history well and was a vast resource to all in terms of recounting it. He enjoyed regularly volunteering at the Sweetwater Museum and provided a bit of living history himself if you visited on his day.

Virgil, W4OLJ, was well-known and respected in the Ham Radio world with friends far and wide across the nation and around the globe. He inherited that gift from his dad and grew it to the extent of engineering his own local radio station. Virgil and Wilma traveled throughout the years to many Ham Festivals, took the girls, and together made life-long friends in the Ham Radio world.

Virgil loved old tractors and had a beautiful collection. He and Wilma were faithful members and leaders in the Fenders' Tractor Club. They treasured the hard work put into the events with their Fenders' Family; Popeye, Roy, Tim, Karen, Preston, Yvonne, Terry, Kathy, Ricky, Randy, Levi, Rachel, Nathan, Jimmy, Nancy, and The Daris Richesin Family to name a few.

Kim and Karen also want to mention their Dad's family; Aunt Margie, Herbert, Tammy, Teeter, Diane, Chuck, Seco, Starling Gale, Darrell, and Taylor whom he loved dearly along with special family friends; Edna, Larry, Johnny, Bob W. Bob C., Fred, Marylu, Bobby, Carrie, Cam, Mel and the Hams on the Net.

Virgil grew up in the North Baptist Church and during his and Wilma's later years, they became faithful members of Sweetwater Methodist Church.

Virgil will be deeply missed by his two daughters, family, and friends. He cherished his family; without fail, he always told you he loved you and to be careful more than once when you were saying goodbye for the day.

When Virgil met someone, he would shake your hand and say, "proud to know you". Virgil Wyrick was someone anyone would be proud to know, and you could set your watch by him.

Kim and Karen want to thank their Kyker's Family, Rev. Mike Jones, Rev. Bill Wilson, Judy Blair Wilson, Doug Richesin and those at Thompson Proton Center and Adoration who provided care to him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Thompson Proton Center, or Fenders' Tractor Club.

In the Amateur Radio World, one ends each broadcast with the term "73's". This means signing off for now.

Virgil has signed off from his earthly life and will be in the air forever in Heaven. His fellow Hams know we just might hear his signal loud and clear from there.

Family and friends will meet at 1:45 P.M. on Wednesday at West View Cemetery for a 2:00 P.M. graveside service and interment. Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater, in charge of arrangements. www.kykerfuneralhomes.com