Virgil was born at 10:30 pm on February, 14, 1917 in Arthur County, NE at his father's homestead to Lynn and Orpha (Shaw) Valentine. He helped around the ranch along with his three brothers, Lesley, Cecil, Ollie and one sister, Velma. He broke his arm in September 1925 when falling from a horse. He went to Wyoming to work for Fred Gutherie in May 1937 until October 1939, when he moved back to Arthur County to work for Jerry Kramer. He married Dorothy Embrey at Broken Bow, NE, on August 20, 1940. To this union three boys were born, Gailund Gene, Dickie Lyle, and Lynn Byron. Dorothy and Virgil lived west of Arthur on the McCullin place. They divorced in 1956. Virgil and the boys continued living on the ranch; he worked his own ranch and was always ready to lend a helping hand to any and all neighbors.

In 1967, he met Anna Eleanor Tatom and they were married in May 1967 in Oklahoma City, OK. He stepped into the role of "Dad" for Annie's two boys, David and John. It was during this time they left Arthur County and moved to Sedgwick, CO. He went to work for the Sonenburg Feedlot until he was hurt in a horse accident while at work. He and Annie divorced in May 1977. He continued to live in Sedgwick and then in July 1981, he married Hazel Marie Riter Valentine. They lived in Sedgwick until Hazel's death in March 2004. He moved to South Dakota in December 2006 until his death on October 28th at 8:47 am.

His services will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 31, 2009 at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor Ralph Vencill officiating. Interment will be in the Arthur County Cemetery, in Arthur, NE, with graveside services at 2:00 pm on Thursday, November 5th.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lynn & Orpha; step-father, Lloyd Rice; his wives, Dorothy, Annie, and Hazel; a brother, Lesley; a son, Lynn; and a step-daughter, Donna Bayer.

He is survived by his sons, Gailund (Ann) Valentine of Gordon, NE, and Dick Valentine of Maricopa, AZ; stepdaughters, Rose (Walter) Winder of Sturgis, SD, Verna Nelson of Arthur, NE, and MaryLou Hart of Phoenix, AZ; stepsons, David (Rachael) Thompson of Rolla, MO, John (Karen) Thompson of St Louis, MO, Darryl (Sherry) Orr of Fruitland, IA, and Dean Valentine of Brighton, CO; 17 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and at least 17 great-great-grandchildren. His life touched all that he met and he will be missed by many.

A memorial has been established.