Virgil Lee Phipps, Longtime West Union Resident, Dies at 88

Virgil Lee Phipps, a lifelong Adams County man who spent his 88 years rooted in West Union, died Sunday, March 8, 2026, at a hospice facility in Seaman, Ohio. He was born December 17, 1937, in Adams County, the son of Leslie Phipps and Garnet (Covert) Phipps.

According to his obituary posted by the People's Defender, Phipps passed away at the Hospice of Hope Ohio Valley Inpatient Center in Seaman. A second account placed his death at the ACRMC hospice unit in Seaman; both facilities are located in the same community roughly ten miles from West Union. Lafferty Funeral Home Incorporated is serving the family.

Phipps was remembered above all as an outdoorsman. He loved hunting and fishing, and he rarely went out alone. His canine companion, Duke, was a constant presence in the field. When the two were not hunting together, Duke could be found riding the back roads with Phipps or scattering corn for the deer. In quieter hours at home, the pair settled in to watch television together. The People's Defender captured the bond plainly: "When Virgil wasn't hunting him, Duke was often seen riding around exploring the countryside, or putting out corn for the deer. In their downtime, you could find them watching their favorite television shows together."

Phipps was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Timothy Lee Phipps and Todd Allen Phipps; and one brother, Donald Phipps. He is survived by his son Darrell Phipps and wife Kim of Loveland, Ohio; brothers Carl Phipps of Peebles and Ralph Phipps of West Union; sister Dorothy Miller of West Union; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and Duke.

A memorial service was held Friday, March 13, at 1 p.m. at Lafferty Funeral Home, with Timothy Phelps officiating. A graveside service at West Union Cemetery was also scheduled for 1 p.m. that same day, with Lafferty Funeral Home serving the family for both.