Dr. James L. Wiygul's Obituary
Dr. James L. Wiygul, 88, died peacefully Monday, August 31, 2009 at home. He was born in Nettleton, MS, July 27, 1921. His family moved to Osceola, Arkansas where he finished high school. He entered the Army Air Force in June 1942. He was a flight engineer with the Ferry and Air Transport Command, during WWII, stationed in Miami, FL. His pilot was William G. Draper, who later became The Late President Eisenhower’s pilot during his Presidential Administration. They flew DC-3, B-17, B-24, B-25 and B-26 aircraft to India over the Himalaya’s to Tibet, to North Africa, England, Scotland, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Greenland, and South America. He received The American Theater Ribbon, The Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and Victory Medal. He was discharged from the Army December 5, 1945. He met his wife of 63 years, Luella Phillips Wiygul, while he was stationed in Miami, FL, where she was working as a radio operator for Eastern Airlines at the Army Airbase. After talking with her over the radio, he landed and went up to the tower to meet his “Miss Lou”. They were married December 22, 1945. They moved to Memphis, TN that same year where he attended Rhodes College. He attended the University of Arkansas Medical School and the University of Tennessee Dental School. He started his dental practice in Memphis, TN in 1953 where he practiced dentistry for 53 years until 2006. He is a past president of the Memphis Dental Society and recipient of their Humanitarian Award 1994-1995, lifetime member of the Tennessee Dental Association, and the American Dental Association, a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, a Fellow of Dentistry International and of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He was a lifelong member of the Shelby Dental Study Club. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church since 1959 and served on the Administrative board since 1960. He was a member of the Kingswood Sunday School Class and the Emmaus Community. His hobbies included golf, as he was a lifetime member of Colonial Country Club. He was an avid bird hunter enjoying quail, pheasant, and duck hunting. He was a life member of Crowley’s Ridge Hunting Club. He enjoyed adventure and travel as he fulfilled his lifetime dream of visiting every country in the world. He enjoyed practicing dentistry with his two sons until his retirement. The family wishes to thank the following caregivers, Lucille Jeans, Khundra Benson, Glinda Rivers, Michelle Hardrich, Methodist Hospice, Wades’ of Memphis, and Trameko Starks. Dr. Wiygul was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Luella Phillips Wiygul. He is survived by his sons, Dr. J. Philip Wiygul of Eads, and Dr. Mark E. (Jan) Wiygul of Germantown, one brother, Dr. F.B. Wiygul of Columbus, MS, one sister, Faye Watson of West Virginia, and 4 grandchildren, Lauren Wiygul, Philip Wiygul, Jr., John Wiygul, and Drew Wiygul. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 5, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in the Wilson Chapel. A visitation will be held Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family requests that memorials be sent to the Church Health Center 1210 Peabody Avenue Memphis, TN 38104 or call (901) 272-7170.
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