Virgil Dean Pulliam

Virgil Dean Pulliam of Elizabeth, Arkansas passed in peace on Monday, July 27, 2020 at the age of 76. He was born on July 14, 1944, to Wendell Truman and Evah Fay (Nelles) Pulliam in the little town of Birch Tree, Missouri.

He served his country proudly as a cryptographer in the Vietnam War. After his discharge from the Army, he married the love of his life, his lifelong hunting and fishing partner Verla Kay Lee, on December 8, 1966. To this union they welcomed four children, Joseph, Valerie, Vedeana, and Velinda.

He worked many years as a signal maintainer for Frisco Railroad and as a powder monkey, where he retired from drilling and dynamiting rock for road construction. When he wasn’t working, he was doing what he loved; hunting and fishing with his wife, family and friends. He never met a stranger, as he was well known for his story telling and daylight to dark work ethic.

Virgil and Kay retired at their dream place on Norfork Lake. It was there that he spent his last 20 plus years fishing for his trophy bass, gardening and relaxing with Kay and their dog, Jazzy. He loved playing and teaching his grandchildren and great grandchildren all the many life lessons he knew.

He is preceded in death by his father, Truman; mother, Evah Fay; brother, Donald; sister-in-law, Guyla; brother-in-law, Charles; father-in-law Verl, and mother-in-law, Ollie.

Survivors include the love of his life, Verla Kay; son, Joseph Dale Pulliam of Willow Springs, MO; three daughters, Valerie Kay Sanders and husband, Wendell of Willow Springs, MO, Vedeana Fay Polm and husband, Darrell of Cabool, MO and Velinda Renea Wilkins and husband, Shawn of Birch Tree, MO; two sisters, Leta May Flett of Bolivar, MO and Evelyn Hyslop of Birch Tree, MO; grandchildren; great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, close friends and neighbors that became family over the years. He was much loved and will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2020 at Yarber Mortuary in Mountain View, Missouri with Pastor Jeff Brake officiating.  Visitation was at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Interment was in Oak Grove Cemetery, Birch Tree, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.