Virgil William Percival

Virgil William Percival, age 65, with an anxious heart, ran to embrace his forever sweetheart, Janet, as his Heavenly Father opened the doors of heaven in his home on the morning of Tuesday, October 29, 2024, in Payson Utah. He was born on October 13, 1959 to parents, Leonard and Lena Topham Percival, in Salt Lake City Utah.

Virgil, along with his four siblings grew up in the heart of Salt Lake City. Things were not easy growing up. He lost his father when he was just 5 years old after he had been shot and killed by a drunk neighbor and later battled a life threatening case of scarlet fever that had resulted in him having to learn to walk again. As he will prove over and over again in life his strength to endure and grow was amazing. As he grew older, into his teenage years he found a passion for cars! He took shop in school and was so proud to show his kids that he still had the old oil filter wrench he used back then. He owned cars like an old Galaxy, a ’67 Lemans, and we believe his personal favorite was his old ‘67 GTO. He spent time with friends polishing them up and cruising Liberty Park. His automotive love never went away. He was quite the wheeler and dealer. He would buy vehicles, fix them up and sell them. He would hang on to his favorites which included an old white ‘79 Camaro, a '70’s Ford Highboy pickup truck, a ‘84 Chevy Blazer and his Green ‘87 Ford Bronco. He was a Ford man. He also found joy in music! He loved everything from Soul R&B like The Temptations and the Four Tops, to Rock & Roll like Elvis Presley, to Pop like Michael Jackson, and country bands like Garth Brooks, Alabama, Dolly Parton, Reba and Tanya Tucker. Dad loved to go camping or enjoy a nice cold bottle of Coors by a bonfire while there were burgers and baked potatoes on the BBQ. Anyone who knows him will have fond memories of his music being the soundtrack to our good times spent together.

Virgil met the love of his life when he applied for a job at McDonalds. After a couple of years courting her and building a friendship strong enough to last a lifetime they married on August 18, 1978. Shortly after, they started a family and had four children: Jamie, Shane, and their twins Torrey and Corey. Things weren’t always easy raising a family but if you ask us kids, we would say we had a pretty good childhood and we had the hardest working parents ever. Virgil was a business owner. He owned a landscaping business called Virgil's Yard Care and Hauling Service and it evolved into Salt Lake Ground Maintenance. He worked from sun up to sun down most days and he made sure our family never went without. He later worked for Pentalon Management before retiring.

One of the most admirable things about Virgil was his loyalty and friendship. His best friends were friends he had from childhood and those friendships led to his children having forever friendships with their children. His customers weren’t just customers, they became friends. He was always making friends with the neighbors, especially the elderly. He would check in with them often to make sure they were doing ok. He made friends with the mailman or women and the local grocery or convenience store clerks. If you were doing construction in the neighborhood, he’d share a morning coffee with you. Virgil's kids never had any doubt of how much they were loved. He would check in often and wasn’t afraid to call them out if they didn’t pick up the phone often enough. He loved his grandchildren, and you could see the pride in his eyes when he discovered a little piece of him in each of them. Dad's everything was the love of his life Janet. Through all of the ups and downs and curve balls life would throw their way they were a perfect example of hanging in there and enduring to the end. We do believe the last two months and 10 days of his life were the absolute hardest days he has ever had to endure after the passing of his wife.

Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our dad, grandpa, and friend. We will miss his smile, his phone calls, nights by the fire, long talks and stubborn independence. He will be forever loved, missed, and never forgotten. We are so grateful for the knowledge that families are eternal and look forward to the day we are all reunited.

Virgil is survived by his daughter Jamie Lynn Betker (Michael), sons: Shane William Percival (Meagon), Torrey Leonard Percival (Amber), Corey Harold Percival (Niki), grandchildren: Austin, Dylan, Peyton, Devon, Aubree, Carson, Kelsey, Brady, Issac, and Kali. In addition to his immediate family he is survived by his siblings: Darwin Percival, Darlene Percival, and Sharlene Percival.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Lena Topham, his brother, Delbert Percival, and his granddaughter ZoeJane Maelynn Betker. We find comfort in knowing their reunion was, with no doubt, a glorious one.

In honor of Virgil an evening viewing will be held on Thursday November 7, 2024 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. A viewing prior to services will be held on Friday November 8, 2024 from 11:00 am - 12:45 pm with a funeral service to follow at 1:00 pm immediately followed by a graveside service. Location: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park at 3401 S. Highland Dr. in Salt Lake City, Utah.