William Vigar
Age - 87
December 5, 2023
ObituaryWilliam A. "Bill" Vigar, Ret. U. S. Army CW4, 87, of Harrisonburg, passed away on Saturday December 2, 2023 at Bellaire at Stoneport in Harrisonburg. Mr. Vigar was born on December 22, 1935 in McGaheysville and was a son of the late Lewis Andrew and Edith Virginia (Warble) Vigar. He excelled in sports at Montevideo and Harrisonburg during his school years. He later earned enough money to take flying lessons at Hartman Airfield on Chicago Ave. Mr. Vigar began his military career in 1953, serving with both the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia U. S. Army Reserve until 1958. In August of 1958, he entered Active Federal Service. During the succeeding seven years, he served with distinction while earning the rank of SGT (E-5), the EIB and completing the Airborne and Ranger Qualification Courses. During this period, SGT Vigar served with several airborne units, including the 503rd Battle Group, and the 504th and 509th Airborne Battalions. In 1965 Mr. Vigar began his aviation career by completing the Warrant Officer Fixed Wing Qualification Course. After Fort Rucker, he reported for duty at Fort Bragg, for a tour as a Pilot with the 69th Aviation Company, XVIII ABN Corps. He was subsequently selected as a Flight Instructor at Fort Rucker before departing for the first of two combat assignments in the Republic of Vietnam. His second combat assignment was a unique duty, flying US Navy P2B Neptune Aircraft to support the military intelligence gathering effort. Upon his return to Fort Rucker, Mr. Vigar served as an Instructor Pilot and was instrumental in the initial development of the World-Wide Aviation Standardization Program which today is known as the Department of Evaluation and Standardization (DES). Mr. Vigar's following assignment was to HQ U. S. Army Communications Command as an Air Traffic Control Technician. This marked the first time an aviation warrant officer was selected to service in a Principal Air Traffic Control Staff assignment. The following PCS send Mr. Vigar back to Europe, with the United States European Command Flight Detachment, as a pilot and operations officer. His responsibilities included the travel and scheduling arrangements for all Ambassadors, Dignitaries, and VIP's visiting Europe. For his final assignment, Mr. Vigar returned to Fort Bragg, and was assigned to the Airborne Board Aviation Section. As the Board's senior aviator, Mr. Vigar provided expert information on aviation operations, and served as the focal point for aviation support on tests. He has also been involved in classified special operations and was instrumental in supporting pre-deployment testing for Operation Urgent Fury. Mr. Vigar has devoted a long and illustrious career to Army Aviation, and has accumulated over 14,000 accident-free flying hours. Having served with distinction for over 31 years, Mr. Vigar has been awarded Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Aviator Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 64 clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign and Service Medals, and several other individual awards. After retiring in 1984, Mr. Vigar returned to the Valley and continued his aviation career, flying for Hensen Airline and Tri-Star Aviation. From 1988 through 1997, Bill went back to flying for the Department of Defense out of Langly Air Force Base. Upon his second retirement, Bill again, returned to the Valley and served as an officer for the Rion-Bowman VFW Post #632, AmVets, Shenandoah Valley Eagles #4150. He was a member of Rockingham Union Lodge #27 AF&AM. He was also a member of the Valley Shrine Club. Bill was a 32nd Degree Mason of the Scottish Rite, and a recipient of his 50-year pin from Wiregrass Shrine Club in Dothan, Alabama. Mr. Vigar is survived by his wife, Debbie (Taylor) Vigar. In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his children, Steve Vigar of Bridgewater, Barry Vigar and wife Susan of Seneca, SC, Stephanie Hummel of Sangersville, Eric Hummel and wife Nikki of Bridgewater; his former wife, Mobley Padilla; grandchildren, Ryan Vigar and wife Heather of Bridgewater, Trent Vigar and wife Marissa of Atlantic, GA; and great-grandchildren, Cam-Ron Vigar, Laurel Vigar, and Brooke Vigar. Mr. Vigar was also preceded in death by a son, William A. "Rocky" Vigar, Jr. The funeral service will be held on Saturday December 9, 2023 at 11 AM at the Harrisonburg Chapel of Kyger Funeral Homes, with Pastor Wayne Wright officiating. Burial with military rites by the United States Army will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in McGaheysville. The family will receive friends on Friday, December 8, 2023 from 6 until 8 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; K9s for Warriors; or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of William A. "Bill" Vigar, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.Show more
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