Virgil Lewis Sellers was born April 8, 1923 Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Ar. to John Virgil & Julia May Hallman Sellers. On April 22, 1942 he married Biddie Irene Owen in Fort Smith. June 30, 1942 Virgil registered for the draft in Fort Smith, Ar. Dec 11, 1942 Virgil enlsted in the US Navy. On Oct. 29 1944 Baker 1st Class Virgil L. Sellers is found aboard the USS Tulagi (CVE-72) on the muster roll. He was discharged 21 Nov 1945. Virgil L. Sellers of Fort Smith, passed away on 8 Apr 2003 in Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Ar. Burial was in Forest Park Cemetery, Fort Smith, Ar. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ from Find A Grave There is more laughter in heaven today! Virgil entered the gates on Tuesday, April 8, 2003, his 80th birthday. He owned and operated the Grand Bakery in Fort Smith for 47 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Fort Smith and the Belle Point No. 20, Amrita Grotto and the Fort Smith Shrine. Virgil was born in Fort Smith to Julia and JV Sellers. He was always very proud of the fact that he lived, most of his life, within a mile of his birthplace. He was a graduate of Fort Smith Senior High School in 1942. He was a baker first class on the USS Hornet and USS Tulagi and a baking instructor at the Hawaii Naval Base during World War II. He and his wife, Irene started the Grand Bakery in 1946. He loved life! His reputation as the champion of practical jokes was well known. Everyone who knew him was, at one time or another, a willing or unwilling participant in one of his pranks. He loved to sing and family events always included music. He cared a great deal about his community, especially the northside of Fort Smith. He loved people and had an innate ability to help those who were hungry or in need. He was a true example of the heart of a Christian through his loving and giving nature. Over the years, he helped many young people turn their lives around to become successful adults. It was a pleasure for him to celebrate life's milestones, with others, by preparing cakes for showers, birthdays and weddings as well as catering family and local events. He loved to fish, hunt, and ride motorcycles with his grandkids. Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Florence Hess and two brothers, Leon and Walter Sellers. He is survived by his wife, Irene Owen Sellers; two daughters, Marna Bateman of Spokane, Wash., and Lisa Sellers of Fort Smith; son-in-law, John Bateman of Spokane, Wash.; a sister and two brothers of Fort Smith; two grandchildren, Marlisa Obrycki of Spokane, Wash., and Kip Bateman of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho; five great-grandchildren and many loving caregivers. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. today at First Baptist Church in Fort Smith with interment at Forest Park cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith. Pallbearers will be Charles Carson, Jim Moore, Joe Potts, Bob Ebbing, Mike and Josh Rich, Kip Bateman and Pooh Arounothay. Memorial contributions may be made to Media Ministry First Baptist Church, 1400 Grand Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72903. This ministry made it possible for Virgil and Irene and countless other to be a part of a worship service. Baker 1st Class (Bkr1c)