1. A computer implemented method for managing a software partition in logical partitioned data processing system, the computer implemented method comprising: creating a virtual root process for the software partition, wherein the virtual root process functions as a root process for the software partition; responsive to termination of a process having a set of child processes, re-parenting the set of child processes to the virtual root process, wherein the virtual root process exits after the set of child processes completes execution; responsive to an assignment of a first child process of the set of child processes to the virtual root process, obtaining a process identifier for the first child process to form an identified process identifier; responsive to detecting an existing child process, determining whether the exiting child process has the identified process identifier; and saving information about the existing child process if the exiting child process has the identified process identifier to form saved information.