Charles Virgil Echols, the son of Robert Charles Echols and Emma Ruth Ray, was born on January 27, 1928 and departed this life on July 24, 2011 at Walsh Healthcare Center in Walsh, Colorado.

Virgil was born in Seymour, Texas, and shortly thereafter the family moved to Hale Center, Texas. There, his family farmed and his father worked for the railroad. When Virgil was 14, his father passed away unexpectedly, and Virgil quit school to help support the family. He worked odd jobs until the age of 16 when he joined the U.S. Navy during World War II, and quickly found himself aboard a ship bound for Japan. When the war ended, Virgil returned home to Plainview, Texas, to work as a lineman for Southwestern Public Service.

On January 27, 1952, Virgil married Betty Jo Herring. They began their marriage of 59 years together in Plainview. In 1955, they moved to Clovis, New Mexico. Two children were born to them - Charles Virgil Echols, Jr. in 1952 and Virgie Carlene "Sissie" Echols in 1958. Virgil continued to work for SPS and retired after 40 years and 11 months. Virgil and Betty were active members of the Central Christian Church. They continued to live in Clovis until 2007 when they moved back to Plainview to be closer to family. With Virgil's declining health, Virgil and Betty moved to Walsh, Colorado, in 2011 to be close to their daughter.

Virgil is preceded in death by his father, Robert Charles Echols, mother Emma Ruth Echols, brother Vernon Ray Echols, and son Charles Virgil Echols, Jr. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 59 years, Betty Jo (Herring) Echols, daughter Sissie (Randy) Hutches of Vilas, Colorado, two grandchildren, Karee Hutches and Trey Hutches, one brother, Carrol (Pat) Echols of Plainview, Texas, two sisters-in-law, Sue Schwartzman of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Ann (Rick) Shook of Waco, Texas, along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.