William E. “Bill” Murray, 73, of Decatur, Indiana died Friday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2023 at his residence following an extended illness.
Bill was born Oct. 19, 1949 in Decatur to the late William Murray and the late Phyllis (Elzey) Murray.
He was united in marriage to Judy A. (Butler) Murray on Sept. 19, 1970 in Decatur, and she preceded him in death on Oct. 27, 2014.
Bill was a member of the Decatur Masonic Lodge 571 where he was a Past Master. He was also a member of the Mizpah Shrine and Adams County Shrine Club along with the Scottish Rite.
Bill retired from Johnson’s Auto Sales in Decatur, where he was well-known for his sense of humor. Also in his retirement, he assisted numerous customers at what is now the Decatur Do-It Best Hardware & Rental. Prior to his career at Johnson’s, he was employed at International Harvester for several years.
Bill had the need for speed. He loved racing of any kind. One of his most treasured moments was the gift Judy gave him in 2013 of the Indy Car Experience at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He was able to achieve (with help) a top speed of 180 miles per hour and recently shared his memory of that event. He had a vast knowledge and passion of cars, especially classic cars, and he was known for his street racing in his younger years in his 1968 Roadrunner. He loved cowboy movies, Westerns, and guns. Breakfast was the most important part of the day. His grandchildren remember starting their day with breakfasts with grandpa: eggs, bacon, and toast. IU Basketball and the now Washington (Redskins) Commanders occupied his television time. Bill would take the grandkids to Fort Wayne for just a quick trip, only to return 12 hours later and with little accomplished. As the grandkids got older, they realized they had essentially been “kidnapped.”
Bill is survived by his two sons, Tony (Jennifer) Murray and Scott (Missy) Murray, both of Decatur; two sisters, Deedra Pickford of Urbana, Ohio and Cindy Painter of Decatur; and three grandchildren, Langley Murray, Madison Murray, Griffin Murray.
In addition to his wife and his parents, Bill was preceded in death by five brothers-in-law, Harold Painter, Steve Pickford, Joe Butler, Jack Butler, and Tom Butler.
Funeral services for Bill will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home – Decatur with Life Celebrant Molly Farthing officiating. Burial will follow at Decatur Cemetery.
Friends and family will be received on Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home – Decatur and one hour prior to services Thursday, also at the funeral home.
A Masonic Funeral Service will be held at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday also at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to Shriners Children’s Hospital.
Arrangements are by the Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur.
Condolences: For complete obituary information and to sign the on-line guestbook, visit www.zwickjahn.com.