John William Vipperman Jr.

KING - Mr. John William Vipperman Jr. age 77, of King and formerly of Mount Airy, husband of Lois D. Vipperman, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007, at his home. Mr. Vipperman was born in Surry County on Oct. 19, 1929, to John Will and Odessa Akers Vipperman. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Round Peak Masonic Lodge. In his early life he served in law enforcement and retired from Roadway. Johnny loved his music, and his renowned musical history was appreciated by many. He is survived by his wife, Lois D. Vipperman, of the home; his son, Jimmy "Vip" Vipperman, and his wife, Cyndy, of Lowgap; his daughter, Alicia Vipperman Hiatt, and her husband, Stewart, of Mount Airy; his grandson, Jacob Hiatt; a stepson, Benny Dowell and his wife, Ruth, of Winston-Salem; and two stepgrandchildren, Eileene and Trey Dowell. In addition to his parents, Mr. Vipperman was preceded in death by a son, Larry Vipperman, and a half brother, James Akers. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Central United Methodist Church in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Charles Penley, the Rev. James Easter and the Rev. Rawley Amburn officiating. Entombment will follow at Skyline Memorial Gardens with full military honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Honor Guard, Mount Airy Post 2019 and Pilot Mountain Post 9436. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Central United Methodist Church, where his body will be placed two hours before the service. The family would like to thank Jesse Needham and Beverly Markland and all the many special friends who have aided in Johnny's care. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Maple Grove United Methodist Church 941 Maple Grove Church Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030; Antioch United Methodist Church 9220 Antioch Church Road, Rural Hall, NC 27045; or Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030. Moody Funeral Home is serving the Vipperman family. Online condolences may be made at www..moodyfuneralservices.com.