Donald V. Wigal

Donald V. Wigal, born July 25, 1922 in Trinidad, CO passed away on July 12, 2013 in Prescott, AZ. He served his country, community, church and family with honor, respect, dedication and love. At the age of 19, he left Trinidad, CO to attend the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where he enrolled in the Marine ROTC program. With the United States fully engaged in battle with Japan, he was sent to the USMC at San Diego Recruit Depot for training at Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejeune, serving as a demolitionist. He went from Guadalcanal to North China, last serving with Charlie Co., 6th Engineering Battalion, and 6th Marine Division. This battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and Navy Unit Commendation for meritorious actions on Okinawa, where he was wounded in action. His unit went to Guam, where he was wounded a second time, then to Tsingtao, China. The 6th Marine Division accepted the Japanese surrender at Tsingtao, where his garrison duty followed. He stayed in China for one year to help rebuild their railroad system. After the war was over, he returned to the University of New Mexico, graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering and obtaining employment with the Santa Fe Railway Company. He remained a Marine Reservist at Sandia Base Special Weapons laboratory. In 1952 he met and married Norma Chumley from St. Louis MO who was employed by the Atomic Energy Commission at Albuquerque, NM. He became an assistant engineer to the AT & SF Railway, building railroad facilities at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Kansas City, Denver, and Prescott AZ. He resigned from the SF Railway Company to return to Prescott in July 1963 as the Director of Public Works for the City of Prescott, and one year later was appointed Prescott City Manager. He reentered private practice in civil engineering in 1965 and worked until retirement at age 85. Don was a long time member of the Prescott United Methodist Church serving in different capacities including usher. He served as President of the Yavapai County Fair Association and was a long time member of the Smoki People. He was a founding and charter member of the Copper State Detachment, Marine Corps League of Prescott, and a China Marine. He is preceded in death by his father Clyde Wigal, his mother Elizabeth Wigal-Hutton, brother Benjamin Franklin Wigal, and son Galen Van Wigal. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Norma Wigal, daughters Gayla Wigal (son-in-law Stan Robinson) of Phoenix AZ, Melanie Noyes (son-in-law Kurt Noyes) of San Diego CA, grand-daughter Jessica Elizabeth, and Tara Wigal-Wertsching (son-in-law John Wertsching) of Scottsdale AZ.

Cemetery:
The final commendation will take place at 11 a.m. on July 25, 2013 at the