Virgil L

Guitar Repair Genius' Virgil passed away March 10 at age 82 after a brief illness. He was born Jan. 2 1927 in Vina Alabama. He then moved to Akron OH in 1946. In the 1960's he opened Lay's Guitar Repair where he loved his work repairing & refinishing many guitars. He worked on many well known musicians' guitars (Joe Walsh Meatloaf Wild Cherry) and many other locally and across the country. He later developed a technique for making guitar strings in tune and founded what is now known as the S.I.T. Strings Co. Virgil was a very good steel guitar player in his early years. He was a member of Jehovah Witnesses S. Akron congrigation. He was preceeded in death by parents Noah & Ida Lay son David Lay brothers Almon Grady & Ray and sister Ada. Survived by wife of 63 years Barbara Jo (Wigfield) Lay; daughters Diana (Chuck) Johnston of MO Patricia (Ed) Speedy of Akron; grand children Karen Speedy Eddie (Julianne) Speedy Brian (Jessica) Speedy Ryan (Misty) Speedy all of Akron; William Johnson of MO Christine (Kevin) Smith of FL. David Jr. (Lurleen) Lay of FL. and 13 great grand children. Live with Jehovah's Day in Mind. Cremation has taken place. There will be a public memorial at the Kingdom Hall at 1814 S. Main St. Akron OH on Saturday March 21 2009 at 4:30 PM. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Lay Family c/o Hummel Funeral Home 500 E. Exchange St. Akron OH 44304.