W.N. "Neil" McMurry passed away peacefully at Wyoming Medical Center on July 19, 2012. He was born in Gill, Colorado on September 12, 1923, the son of Otto McMurry and Alma Doke McMurry. He was life-long resident of Casper, WY. He was also known as "Hurry McMurry" to family, friends, and business associates.
Neil graduated from Natrona County High School in 1941. He was inducted into the United States Army on April 30, 1942. He served with the 385th bomb group in the European theatre as a tail gunner, waist gunner and ball turret gunner on B 17 Flying Fortresses. Neil completed twenty-nine missions over Europe, including two missions on D-Day.
On July 11, 1942 he married his high school sweetheart, Ellie McGregor. They were married for 41 years before her death on May 8, 1983.
He is survived by his wife of twenty-eight years, Doris McMurry. He is also survived by his children; Carol McMurry (Patrick Spieles), Mick McMurry (Susie), Victor McMurry (Lupita), Susan McMurry Samuelson (Doug), Kelly Wenzel Burrows (Chris), and Gary Wenzel (April) and grandchildren; Matthew Seebaum, Carla Seebaum Bankes, Trudi McMurry Holthouse, Jillian McMurry, Samantha Samuelson, Alan Kinnison, Cody McMurry, Nic McMurry and Victoria McMurry Helling, Tiffany and Garrett Mortimer, Mysti, Jackie, and Kelsey Wenzel.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Kenneth Doke McMurry and Donald Russell McMurry and a daughter, Gayle McMurry Kinnison.
Neil was best known as a highway contractor in partnership with Vern Rissler in Rissler and McMurry. Among his many business ventures were developing the Jonah Field in Sublette County, WY, the McMurry Business Park in Casper and the Swan Ranch Business Park in Cheyenne. He was also a partner in the historic Warren Ranch in Cheyenne. His many philanthropies focused on Wyoming citizens struggling with life; including single mothers attending Casper College, Seton House, 12-24 Club, Child Development Center and the McMurry Regional Training Center. He received numerous awards for his business and philanthropic activities; including the Wyoming Community Foundation Newell B. Sargent Achievement Award from The Wyoming Business Report.
At Mr. McMurry's request, a memorial service will be held on Friday, July 27, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 26, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home. A reception will follow the service at Fire Rock from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A private family burial will be held at Highland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Seton House or 12-24 Club.
Online condolences may be left at www.NewcomerCasper.com, or friends at Facebook for comments/condolences or www.HurryMcMurry.com