Virgil Bozeman

Virgil Bozeman, age 94, of Moline, IL, died on Friday, March 9, 2007, at Fairview Baptist Home in Downers Grove, IL. Virgil Bozeman was born June 6, 1912, to Virgil F. and Ethel O'Roark Bozeman in Fort Smith, AR. The family moved to Moline, IL in 1919 when Virgil's father was transferred to the John Deere Wagon Works in Moline. Virgil married Jean Stamm, in Moline, on June 5, 1949. He graduated from Moline High School in 1929, and attended the University of Illinois, the University of Iowa, and Augustana College, graduating from Southern Methodist University Law School in 1937 with the highest honors in law school. After graduating, he taught at SMU Law School. He practiced law in Dallas, TX before coming back to Moline in 1940, joining the law firm of Johnson, Railsback & Bozeman. In 1942, Virgil joined the U.S. Air Force, spending time in England during World War II in the Eighth Air Force. After the war, he returned to Moline, opening his own office, now known as Bozeman, Neighbour, Patton & Noe. He was selected to be a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and was a member of the American Insurance Counsel, the American Bar Association, a member of First Congregational Church, and member and past president of Moline Rotary Club. He served on the Moline Public Hospital Board for many years, and the Butterworth Board, which presented him a lifetime membership in 1999. He was also a member of the Illinois House of Representatives. He was a member of the Western Golf Association, and the Short Hills Country Club, and was golf champion at Short Hills in 1928, 1930, and 1932. Services will be held on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 1:00 PM at First Congregational Church in Moline, IL. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery with Military Rites being given by Moline American Legion Post #246. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 14th, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Parkinsons Disease Association. Virgil is survived by his wife; two daughters: Anya (Mark) Taylor of South Nyack, NY, and Carol (Michael) Hunt of Naples, FL; and two sons, Virgil (Rachel) Bozeman III of Augusta, ME, and David (Elizabeth) Bozeman of Willowbrook, IL; a sister, Martha Bozeman Fay of Savannah, GA; ten grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Bozeman Janavitz of Tucson, AZ. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wendtfuneralhome.com.