Nels William Murray, 82

Nels William Murray, 82, a survivor of Iwo Jima, a nurturing, loving father and a good friend to many, died July 5, 2006.

Bill was born on Aug. 28, 1923, to Thomas and Esther Murray in Warrick. Bill voluntarily enlisted in the Navy in 1942, spending most of his active duty as a signalman on the destroyer USS Weber.

He completed his service in 1946 and returned to Montana, where he met his future wife and lifelong friend, Dorthea Murray. They married in 1949 and raised three children who survive him, Cheri and husband, Kelly, of Bigfork; Scott and wife, Tina, of Whitefish; and Carol and husband, Robin, of Seattle.

Bill is also survived by his six grandchildren, Trina of Lacey, Wash., whose husband, Dan Elder, was deployed to Iraq on the date of Bill's death; Brad of South Korea, where he is teaching English; Brett of Whitefish; K.C. of Bigfork; and 5-year-old Jane Li of Seattle. Bill is survived by one great-grandchild, 4-year-old Kyler. Bill was one of seven children and only two survive him, Ruth Hamilton and Tom Murray of Texas.

In 1987, after 40-plus years with the railroad, Bill retired, spending those many years doing the things he loved - hunting, fishing, golfing and spending time with his family and close friends and neighbors.

Bill died suddenly, but peacefully.

Bill was a kind, compassionate and humorous father and friend and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to either VFW, P.O. 1008, Eureka, MT, 59917 or Our Lady of Mercy, 500 Dewey Ave., Eureka, MT, 59917.

A Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, July 10, at the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Eureka, under the direction of the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish.

Burial will follow the Mass at the Tobacco Valley Cemetery, near Eureka, with military honors.