William D. Murray

William D. Murray, age 85, of New Philadelphia, died Wednesday, July 27, 2011, in Hennis Care Center at Dover following a brief illness. A son of the late William R. and Lilly Mallett Murray, Bill was born at Canton, Ohio on April 23, 1926. He graduated from high school at Canton in 1944 and entered into the United States Air Force on June 1, 1944. He was a member of the 86th Squadron 79th Fighter group where he served as an airplane crew chief. For his service he was awarded the American Theatre Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal for Germany and the Good Conduct Metal prior to his discharge on June 12, 1946.Bill served a period of time with the Ohio State Highway Patrol in South East Ohio prior to his marriage to the former Gladys F. Stempien whom he married on June 14, 1952. Upon their marriage, Bill and Gladys relocated to New Philadelphia and reared three children where Bill spent 35 years with the Akron area office of Motorist Mutual Insurance as a claims agent. Bill was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church at New Philadelphia as well as an active member of the Tusco Rifle Club, where he had previously served as president of the organization. Additionally, Bill spent a number of years as a Scout Master with Boy Scout Troop 97 of New Philadelphia and had completed his Wood Badge, adult leader training. In his free time Bill enjoyed target and trap shooting, creating working scale model cannons, and fishing; having taken numerous trips with family members to fish halibut and salmon.In addition to his wife of 59 years, Bill will be missed by three children, Michele (Randall) Wilson of Gnadenhutten, Kathy Hodkinson of Portsmith, Ohio, and Michael (Diana) Murray of New Philadelphia.Five grandchildren, Abigail Wilson, Thad Wilson, Derek Hodkinson, Timothy Murray, and Jessica Murray complete the family. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a half-sister, Shirley Burger and a son-in-law, Robert Hodkinson.The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 6, 2011, from 1:00 Â? 2:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Fr. Jeff Coning will lead a memorial service in the funeral home’s chapel on Saturday at 2:00 PM. Inurnment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia where members of the New Philadelphia VFW will perform military honors. Following services the family wishes to invite guests to join them in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home, where a meal and fellowship will be shared.The family requests memorial contributions in Bill’s name be directed to the American Cancer Society c/o Hennis Care Center Relay for Life Team, 525 North Broad Street, Canfield, Ohio 44406.