Virgil Alexander Dollar

Virgil Alexander Dollar - age 94, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away peacefully at his home on September 20, 2024. Virgil is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Norma Jean (Smith) Dollar, and sons Craig (Nancy), Christopher (Susan), Eric (Michele), and Matthew (Carissa). Virgil loved his role as grandfather to 10 grandchildren: Zoe, Elise, Alexi, Tyler, Lorin, Mitchell, Jackson (Rebecca, great-grandchildren Henry, Elise, and Louis), Kate, Clay, and Ruby. He is also survived by his sister Ruth Fuller and multiple nieces and nephews. Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Reuben Elijah Dollar and Edith Merle Wilhite, and by his sisters Dorothy, Ruby, Delores, Faye, Mary, and Mildred. Virgil was born on June 13, 1930 in Healdton, Oklahoma, and later moved with his family to Noblesville, Indiana. He graduated from Noblesville High School in 1948, and joined the Navy for 4 years, serving aboard the USS McCAFFERY DDE 860 as a Machinist Mate 2nd Class in Korea. After several short jobs, including pipeline construction with his father, he earned an associate degree in tool design from Lane Technical Institute in 1956. He began working for Allisons in Indianapolis in 1955, and worked as a senior draftsman/designer at several General Motors divisions and locations, mostly Allisons plant 8 (with brief stints in Kokomo, Lansing, and Toledo). One highlight was working at the GM Tech Center (outside of Detroit) from 1973 to 1978 (we all lived in a Holiday Inn there one summer; it was great because we had a pool, maid service, and took several long weekend trips from there). He retired in 1990 (note the big smile here in his retirement picture). He was a devoted church member of the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Beech Grove, Indiana, and was an avid Roncalli band supporter through the many years his sons were there. He loved dancing (everything from ballroom to country/western; Norma always said if he hadn’t been a dancer she wouldn’t have married him), bicycling all around the country (and a trip through France), ice skating, and traveling (visited many countries on all 7 continents, including Antarctica and locations above the Artic circle, as well as all 50 states). Family was at the heart of Virgil’s life. He attended a great many school sports and musical functions/events for his children and grandchildren. An extraordinarily devoted grandfather, he created lasting memories with each grandchild through tractor rides, wagon pulls, and his unwavering love and attention. It was hard to find him at any family gathering without a grandchild or two in his arms. And then there was keeping up with Norma’s busy social calendar… He spent many hours taking care of the property, which sometimes “required” building a variety of unique tools/implements (usually from scrap or re-purposed material) to aid with the yardwork and extensive house/barn remodeling/upkeep projects (he reroofed the barn by himself in his 80’s). Of course, he would always be found wearing his trademark Tilley hat (which had a pocket in the top that you could hide money in when he wouldn’t let you chip in for a family meal). So, how to sum up 94 years, beyond these few paragraphs that of course can’t do it justice? Devoted husband, father and grandfather; well-traveled, well-lived, well-respected. Norma always said he was perfect. And he kinda was. We think he won. And so did we. Calling will be held Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Little & Sons Funeral Home, 1301 Main St, Beech Grove, Indiana. A Catholic mass will be said on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Holy Name Catholic Church, 89 N 17th Ave, Beech Grove, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Holy Name Catholic Church in Beech Grove, IN. https://membership.faithdirect.net/IN342