Virgil Leo Boutwell

Virgil was born January 22, 1924 in Santa Ana, California. He grew up in Whittier, California and was a graduate of Whittier High School.

He served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII.

Virgil loved swimming and trained for Olympic diving. After getting married, in Sept. of 1946, he worked for General Telephone Company for 29 years in California and Washington state during which time he enjoyed constructing his family’s homes.

After Virgil and his family moved to Yucaipa in 1970, he and his wife served as high school sponsors at First Baptist Church of Yucaipa for a number of years, until August of 1976 when he suffered an accident which resulted in quadriplegia — after which he served 33 years in the church’s library/media center as the recording technician for services and special events.

Virgil enjoyed the fellowship of his church family and was active in his Gleaners Sunday school class and Life Group Bible Study.

Virgil and his wife were blessed to enjoy 68 years of marriage.

Virgil is survived by his wife, Thelma of Yucaipa and their three children — son Chris Boutwell and his wife Martha of South Carolina and their children and grandchildren; daughter Pamela Parker and her husband Charlie of Cathedral City and their children and grandchildren; daughter Rebecca Reimer and her husband Ken of Calimesa and their dog Bellatrix. He was predeceased by their daughter, Vicki Jo Weiss and a grandson, T.J. Arnett.

Memorial services 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the First Baptist Church of Yucaipa, 34784 Yucaipa Blvd., Yucaipa, California. For any further information please call the church office at 909-790-1971.

Arrangements were entrusted to Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, California