William Richard (Buddy) Murrell was born on August 19th, 1927 to Walter Richard (Dick) Murrell and Lillian Young Murrell in Vernon, Texas. He started school in Gruver but the family moved to Vernon because they owned a house there. His family lived in Vernon, Texas during the school year, but moved to Gruver every summer to farm the family land. He graduated from Vernon High School in May, 1945 and enlisted in the Navy on July 3rd, 1945. He enlisted as a naval aviator in the training program at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA).
In 1946, he was transferred to the USS Octavia. He sailed on the final trip of the USS Octavia to San Francisco Bay arriving on May 30th, 1946. All sailors aboard were honorably discharged and the ship was decommissioned on August 12th, 1946. Dad flew back to Texas.
Buddy attended Oklahoma A & M College for the 46-47 academic year. He then married Frances Alexander on August 16th, 1947. They attended one more year at Oklahoma A & M College. At the end of that academic year, they returned to Gruver to build their home and start a family. He ranched and farmed in the Oslo community for 75 years.
Buddy served on many committees at the Gruver United Methodist Church including the trustees, finance, pastor parish, and general counsel. He also served for many years as Charge Lay Leader and Conference delegate. He served on several conference committees and as District Lay Leader. Buddy and Frances served for many years as MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship) leaders/directors and Sunday school teachers.
Buddy was also on the Waka Christian Center Board at Waka, Texas for many years. During his tenure, they bought the building (an old school) and refurbished it to serve the Rushing Wind Emmaus program.
William R. Murrell has also served twice as President of the Golden Spread Quarter Horse Association; President of the Panhandle Cutting Horse Association; and on the Board of the west Texas Futurity. He was recognized as a Legacy Breeder by the American Quarter Horse Association in 2006 – which means that he has bred, raised, and registered quarter horses for 50 years. He also served for many years as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hansford County Stock Show. He started a 4-H horse club when his children were young and taught many children about horses.
He is preceded in death by his parents Dick and Lillian Murrell, his wife Frances, and one great-grandchild, Brayden Joe Murrell Davis.
He is survived by his children Harley Richard Murrell and wife Beverly of San Angelo, Texas, John Michael Murrell of Gruver, Texas, Melinda Murrell Davis and husband Jim of Gruver, Texas and Walter Rob Murrell and wife Deena of Gruver, Texas. Along with nine grandchildren Chad Murrell and wife Jana, Keely Symons and husband Mitch, Matthew Murrell and wife Sara, Michele Kraal and husband Seth, Max Davis and wife Christie, Kasey Schrimpf and husband Jeff, Heather Houston and husband David, Amber Heimendinger and husband Rick and Rob Murrell and wife Ashley. His sister Mary Katherine Johnson of Kerrville, Texas, along with twenty-three great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, August 21st, 202 at Gruver United Methodist Church, 506 Broadway, Gruver, TX 79040
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 at the Gruver United Methodist Church with Steve Chappell officiating. Graveside service will be following funeral service.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence at www.hensonnovak.com
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