The picture of Virgil with his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles T-shirt seems so appropriate, as he always liked to make people smile with his wonderful sense of humor.  As a Heard volunteer, I had the pleasure of working with him from time to time, and Virgil will always be appreciated with deep respect.  My very deepest condolences to Virgil's family, friends, and his Heard Family.  Virgil will be missed for sure and he created a lot of happy memories for everyone.

My connections with Virgil were through our work at the Heard Museum.  He was delightful to talk to and made my day brighter when he and I would cross paths when I was doing my touring.
  It truly saddened me to hear of his passing and my heart goes out to all of you who knew him as family and friend.   He and you are in my thoughts.  
All my best, Pat Briggs  

Virgil was a regular helper in the Heard Museum Library; he always had a nice smile and grin that were very welcomed sights to me and the Library volunteers.  I was very excited when I learned that Virgil transitioned into Security at the Heard Museum.  That type of personality was destined to work with the public and make the Heard Museum proud.  I want to express my sadness to his family and friends; and pray that the family will all stay well and out of harm's way.  Respectfully, Mario Nick Klimiades

So very saddened to hear the departure of our beloved Virgil. He was such a down to earth gentle soul. He never hesitated to lend a hand. Outrageously funny. I'll miss you. R.I.P. dearest Virgil.
Deepest sympathy to his family & friends 🧡💛❤

I worked with Virgil at the Heard Museum.  I Looked forward to saying Good Morning to him. He was fun, Kind & a Gentle Giant. He always took time to look at pics of my Grandkids, Kitties, and Pets. He showed me his little Dog,  i'd see the puppy in the car as we were walking out at the end of our work days. I don't know why I connected with Virgil, but he was someone I trusted. I'm so very sad, I  will remember all the stories, food & fun we had in the Shop. He was so handsome in the Uniform just before we were furloughed.  I was Happy for him &  another coworker that they got to switch positions at work. It was my pleasure to know Virgil & his beautiful Spirit. My condolences to the Families.  Penny  Metcalfe Lowry

I was doing a large repair on a wall inside one of the galleries at the museum earlier this year. Years and years of paint needed to be peeled off the wall. Virgil popped his head in and asked “Can I ask a question? How do you make a wall look that way? All those layers of paint?” I laughed a little and said, “years and years and years of paint!” It gave us both a few laughs and we continued talking about different painting techniques to give layered looks. He was surprised to hear that I had a background in fine art and specifically in painting. It opened a great conversation that afternoon and he was excited to try a few of the techniques we talked about. He was always a pleasure to see and talk to. Always inquisitive and kind. He will be missed and remembered fondly.  

I had the pleasure of working with Virgil for 10 yrs at the Heard Museum, first as a custodian and then we both transferred to security. He was so happy to be on the security team, though unfortunately it was not long after that we had to shut down. At first I was felt intimidated by him, he was a big guy, but I found out he was kind, and had a big heart and ready to help you any way he could. RIP dear friend.

Virgil was my classmate I remember his art as I was in the same art class. Although it's been years I send my sincere condolences, journey well my friend.

Can’t say I knew him as well as I would have liked... I can say from what I knew he and Claudia seemed like kind and loving folks. I always enjoyed seeing them. I always felt better when they were around. I’m sorry he has passed. I feel very deeply for Claudia, and pass my love to her. Ifeel for his family, whom I never had the pleasure to meet. Not only would I see him when he came to see the band play but I had the time and pleasure, to my delight, to run into him in random places. I always enjoyed that. I love you, brother.

Little Virgil at 2 years old with his father Leroy.

Our precious oldest son has made his journey to the otherside on June 14, 2020. As parents we never expect to have to bury our children, nor do we as a family want to lose our loved ones. Our hearts are heavy, and sometimes there's really no words to soothe our pain. The thought of our son gone is still too unbearable, but we must let him rest in peace. He would want us to be happy, to live our lives to the fullest and to remain strong. He was a strong individual and he fought hard to live, until his body could no longer fight. He fought alone in the hospital and that remains to be the hardest thing to phantom. Keep our family in your prayers, as we truly believe there is an almighty God who knows all and He will grant us comfort and peace in our darkest hours. Rest son, rest with your loved ones who are in heaven with you. We Love you forever, our dear son Virgil.

Very sad to hear of Virgil’s passing. Him and Claudia were the best fans of my band that could ever be. A huge heart and a great man.

I could always count on talking to him after a show.

RIP friend. You will be missed.

As a Heard Museum volunteer, I saw Virgil every Monday and he was always friendly and ready to help. We talked about books and art and he was planning on making some new paintings and showed me what he wanted to do. He was always ready to tell a funny story about his cat and dog and we had many laughs at the stories. The world will be a sadder place without him. My condolences go out to his family and friends.

Virgil was the first person that I would see when I worked on Sunday morning. He was always happy. I would run inti him while on patrol and he always stopped me to talk. I enjoyed working with him. Sending love and prayers to all of his family and friends. 

Virgil will be missed a lot .  We worked together at the Heard museum security dept. He always knew how to make you smile & laugh no matter what kind of day we were having . You will be dearly missed but never forgotten! 

Virgil was a beautiful human who made the Heard Museum – and the world – a better place just by being him. He had this superpower of making everyone he interacted with feel valued. His gentle soul, fun-loving nature, and intellect made it impossible not to love being around him. Some of the best conversations I had were with Virgil. His passion for art, music, literature, and more were contagious; it truly seemed like he knew something about everything! I will miss learning from and laughing with him. 

Virgil lit up the most when talking about his loved ones.  He was so proud of his family and it was clear how much love was present. Virgil will be so missed, and my heart goes out to his family. This loss is immeasurable, but so is the love he left behind. Peace be with you. ❤


Virgil’s sweet, sensitive way awakened the best in me every time I saw him. He made my soul smile. I am thinking of those who knew him best - and sending love and thanks for the honor of knowing him. 

I always enjoyed working with Virgil. His love of all things nerdy and sci-fi was much appreciated as that was majority of our conversations.  We had so many inside jokes together and would usually share a laugh when passing in the hallway.  I will miss him so much and am so sorry for this sudden loss. 

My oldest daughter and I are so sad to hear of Virgil's passing.  He was always so friendly to us at the Heard and when we ran into him around town.  I enjoyed bumping into him at the Heard during my docent shifts - he always had something different to chat about and often shared about books he enjoyed.  He is part of the good memories I have of the Heard and I cannot believe we will no longer have him there.  My deepest condolences to his family for their great loss.

Virgil and I worked at the Heard together for many years and he was unfailingly kind, considerate, warm, funny and fun to be around. I loved geeking out with him about science fiction and/or art in our chats around campus. I will miss his infectious laugh (that mischievous giggle of his), our geeky talks and his sweet personality. 

My heartfelt condolences go out to his family. 

My Heart is Heavy Man.  We would talk about art every chance we had, and he had so many questions. Virgil was so interested and concerned for others. He wished for the best and accepted what came his way. He was a friend, and I will miss him. My Heart is Heavy Man. He was a proud and caring individual.  A big man but gentle in his thoughts and demeanor.  He will be missed. The world lost a rare person that loved people and was interested in making amends. Take care and Love one another. 

Virgil was a valued friend and Heard Museum colleague, we will miss him terribly. He was passionate and knowledgeable about  art and music and his dedication to the museum was inspiring. Everyone loved working with and being around Virgil; he was fun and kind. I want to extend my sincerest condolences to his family, especially Claudia and Claudia.  

David M. Roche

Virgil was just simply one of the nicest people I have ever met.  He was kind to everyone, and had a great sense of humor.  I remember the hilarious "ugly sweaters" he would wear to office holiday parties, and many hallway conversations at work sharing thoughts and feelings - and usually a laugh or two - about what was going on that week.  

We have lost a great and kind man. I am so very sorry for his family, who he loved so dearly.  Virgil will be dearly and always missed.

I am so heartbroken to hear of Virgil's passing. He was a colleague of mine when I worked at the Heard and friend. He had a true artistic spirit that made him a perfect fit in his work at the museum. He always made me laugh at work....sharing goofy internet memes, or when I would loudly call out "virrrgiiiilll" (like a heavy metal singer)in the halls of the museum to make him laugh or catch him off guard....he always always was so much fun to be around and I cherished that we remained friends after I left the museum. I will really miss him the next time I return. May peace be with his family and loved ones, you are all in my thoughts....rock on Virgil ❤

OBITUARY

Virgil Craig Betonie

April 12, 1972 – June 14, 2020

Parker Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services