Peggy Jane Pryor

Peggy Jane was born May 28, 1944 in Tulare, California to Roy and Mary Jane Beecher. Peggy adored her older brother, Leroy, and the two shared many happy hours of childhood together. In 1955 Peggy's little brother, Lowell, was born and immediately was the apple of her eye. As a child Peggy participated in the Campfire Girls, was first chair flutist in her high school marching band, and in 1962 was part of the very first graduating class at Tulare Western. After high school Peggy graduated from the Frederico School of Beauty and became a hair dresser. In a few years Peggy's life would change forever when she met Vernon Pryor one night while each were "cruising Main Street and the Oval" with friends. As they both would attest to later, it was dislike at first sight. Not long after that night though they met again, but, this time, things went much differently and they became steady sweethearts until Vernon was drafted and deployed to Vietnam in 1967. While Vernon was in Vietnam, Peggy and her friend Cheryl moved to San Mateo, California where Peggy worked in a salon and enjoyed life in the Bay Area. She remained in NorCal until 1969 when she returned to Visalia to marry Vernon. Not long after they were married Peggy and Vernon opened Vern's Golden Burger, a popular hamburger stand off of Lover's Lane in Visalia. A few years after that they sold the Golden Burger and moved to Exeter where they owned and operated a gas station and convenience store. In 1977 they came back to Visalia and started what would become their trademark endeavor, Chili Billy's Walk Up on the corner of Church and Main. For twenty-five years they were renown for their chili, hamburgers, sandwiches (especially the tuna and chicken salad), breakfast burritos, and more. The restaurant was a landmark of downtown Visalia and is still fondly remembered by many today. In the 1990s, while Vern ran the restaurant, Peggy went to work for Kraft Foods (then Knudsen) in the HR Department, where she remained until retirement. In her free time following retirement, Peggy loved meeting her friends from high school once a month for lunch where they caught up and reminisced. She also loved getting pedicures, going to Ryan's Place, Casa Grande, and El Rosal as well as visiting with her family and many loved ones. Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vernon, and her brother Lowell. She is survived by her brother Leroy Beecher and his wife Carolyn, Lowell's wife, Phyllis Beecher, her sister-in-law, Daisy Pryor, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and scores of friends and former coworkers. In lieu of flowers Peggy asked instead for donations to Wounded Warrior, a program dear to her heart. Services will be the Fountain Church, 1023 S. Chinowth, in Visalia. There will be a viewing for the family only at 9am with a service for all starting at 930am. Graveside service at 1030am at Visalia Cemetery and a catered luncheon reception to follow at Fountain Church. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Peggy Jane Pryor

May 28, 1944 - August 4, 2021