Obituary for Michael "Virgil" Charles Jones
Michael Charles “Virgil” Jones died peacefully on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at the age of 72. Born April 7, 1951, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, to the late Warren Sr. and Isabelle Elizabeth (Wilcox) Jones. Michael Jones was an athlete who played basketball and football in Wilkinsburg and was a defensive back at Division II Virginia Union College, before becoming a boxer and wrestler. He was best known for his days in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as “Virgil”, the hired, chiseled, and bald bodyguard of “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase.
As children in Wilkinsburg and after their father passed, Jones and his sister Antoinette were raised by their mother, who worked several jobs to support their family. On at least one occasion, the siblings lifted money from their mother’s purse, tore it apart and tossed it into a wishing well, in hopes that they wouldn’t get punished. They were “Siamese twins” according to Antoinette.
When a professional football career didn’t pan out after college, Jones played for Pittsburgh’s semi-pro “Wolf Pak” and was an avid bodybuilder. Jones worked on road construction crews before going to work for the family-owned Grogan Brothers Moving and Storage Company, where his older brothers, Warren “T-Bone” Jones, Jr. and Donald, worked.
While at a gymnasium, famed professional wrestler “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas befriended Jones and encouraged him to pursue the squared circle. It would be a decision that changed his life.
Jones would go on to become one of the most interesting athletes to ever hail from Pittsburgh. He would win tag team gold with “Soul Man” Rocky Johnson, defeat DiBiase for the Million Dollar Title, and grappled in WrestleMania. He was involved with matches against Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Sting and Bret Hart, just to name a few. He was a proud member of the nWo and reminded all who would listen, that was “for life.”
Once his in-ring wrestling days were over, Jones returned to Pittsburgh and continued to live a “larger than life” experience as “Virgil.” He shared autographs and took photos with everyone and everywhere. Various rumors swirled, mostly ones spun by Jones himself. The closest secret he held was his age. Until recently, he had the world convinced he was 61. “Virgil” was loved by wrestling fans all over the world and they embraced him with a tight grip.
Even when his health faded, Jones never once complained, and insisted on going to the casino with his sister or traveling to autograph signings just to be with his friends and fans.
In addition to his late parents, Jones is preceded by his brother Warren, Jr. He leaves behind brother Donald Jones (Delores); sister Antoinette Jones; sister-in-law Gloria, and “a boatload” of nieces, nephews and cousins. “Virgil” also leaves behind countless scores of friends and fans around the “universe.”
Visitation will be held at Coston Funeral Home, 427 Lincoln Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 10 am to 2 pm, with funeral services at 2 pm.
As children in Wilkinsburg and after their father passed, Jones and his sister Antoinette were raised by their mother, who worked several jobs to support their family. On at least one occasion, the siblings lifted money from their mother’s purse, tore it apart and tossed it into a wishing well, in hopes that they wouldn’t get punished. They were “Siamese twins” according to Antoinette.
When a professional football career didn’t pan out after college, Jones played for Pittsburgh’s semi-pro “Wolf Pak” and was an avid bodybuilder. Jones worked on road construction crews before going to work for the family-owned Grogan Brothers Moving and Storage Company, where his older brothers, Warren “T-Bone” Jones, Jr. and Donald, worked.
While at a gymnasium, famed professional wrestler “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas befriended Jones and encouraged him to pursue the squared circle. It would be a decision that changed his life.
Jones would go on to become one of the most interesting athletes to ever hail from Pittsburgh. He would win tag team gold with “Soul Man” Rocky Johnson, defeat DiBiase for the Million Dollar Title, and grappled in WrestleMania. He was involved with matches against Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Sting and Bret Hart, just to name a few. He was a proud member of the nWo and reminded all who would listen, that was “for life.”
Once his in-ring wrestling days were over, Jones returned to Pittsburgh and continued to live a “larger than life” experience as “Virgil.” He shared autographs and took photos with everyone and everywhere. Various rumors swirled, mostly ones spun by Jones himself. The closest secret he held was his age. Until recently, he had the world convinced he was 61. “Virgil” was loved by wrestling fans all over the world and they embraced him with a tight grip.
Even when his health faded, Jones never once complained, and insisted on going to the casino with his sister or traveling to autograph signings just to be with his friends and fans.
In addition to his late parents, Jones is preceded by his brother Warren, Jr. He leaves behind brother Donald Jones (Delores); sister Antoinette Jones; sister-in-law Gloria, and “a boatload” of nieces, nephews and cousins. “Virgil” also leaves behind countless scores of friends and fans around the “universe.”
Visitation will be held at Coston Funeral Home, 427 Lincoln Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 10 am to 2 pm, with funeral services at 2 pm.