He was born on May 17, 1930 in Augusta County and was the son of the late Charles O. and Mary Early Wampler.
He was raised on a farm between Fort Defiance and New Hope; and graduated from New Hope High School in 1947. After school, he was employed by E. I. Dupont until inducted into the US Army in 1951. After basic training he was sent to Korea where he was assigned to the 73rd Tank Battalion. He rose fast through the ranks and became a tank commander to Platoon Sgt. with the rank of Sgt. First Class. He served eleven months of combat during the Korean War. After returning home from Korea in 1953, he attended V.P.I. for one year, more school in Nashville, Tennessee, and further education at Erie County Tech in Buffalo, New York.
He married the former Helen Dolores Claytor in 1954 and they moved to Nashville, Tenn. While in school in Nashville, he became employed with Ralston Purina Company and began his climb through the ranks with them. He was transferred to many plants and held many different positions, at each plant. His first move was to a new plant in Richmond, VA as maintenance supervisor. Within two years, he was transferred to Woodstock, Ontario, Canada as assistant plant manager. While in Canada, he was loaned to another plant in Clarkson, Ontario, Canada for special duty.
His next move was back to the states and it was to Buffalo, New York. The Buffalo plant was a large and old plant with a strong union. He was made general foreman and was told to get the plant profitable. This he did and his next move was to Lansing, Michigan to build a new plant and when completed he became plant manager. After three years, he was assigned to move to Omaha, Nebraska, and become the plant manager of that plant. He liked Omaha and decided to quit moving after 12 years he asked to be moved back east near home. The company made a home for him as plant manager of the now old Richmond, Virginia plant. He stayed in that position until he took early retirement in 1958.
His first wife, Helen D. Claytor Wampler, preceded him in death in 1987 after a long illness.
In December 1989, he married the former Betty Lewis Fitzgerald. They made their home in Richmond, Virginia for many years and then moved to Rockingham County in 2006.
He was a post commander of Chapter 123 Korean War Veterans for several years and he very admirable and thought extremely highly of all veterans of all wars. He was a life member of the Korean War Veterans and of the Disabled American Veterans.
In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by his second wife, Betty Lewis Fitzgerald Wampler; his brothers, Claude, Charles and Paul William; and sisters, Mable and Marjorie; and a nephew, Zan Wampler.
He is survived by a beloved niece, Anne Gaul and husband, Gary, of Culpeper; nephew, Donald Wampler and several great-nephews.
A private graveside service will be held at Middle River Church of the Brethren. There will be no visitation at the funeral home.
Lindsey Funeral Home in Weyers Cave is handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyfuneralhomes.com.
