William “Bill” G. Murry, 83

Mankato — William “Bill” G. Murry, age 83, of Mankato and formerly of Delavan, died March 31, 2009, at Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mankato.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. April 4, 2009, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mankato. Rev. John Kunz officiated. Burial was at 3 p.m. at Calvary Cemetery in Delavan. Landkamer-Johnson-Boman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Bill was born on Feb. 1, 1926, to Gregory V. and Lauretta E. (Symington) Murry in Delavan. He was a 1944 graduate of Delavan High School. He was united in marriage to Maryce Haugh on Nov. 22, 1947, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Easton. He initially worked for the Farmers Elevator in Delavan. He served as Postmaster in Delavan from 1961 until his retirement in 1988. Bill was a lifelong member of Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church in Delavan. He served his country in the United States Navy from 1944-1946 before being honorably discharged. He was on the maiden voyage of the USS Midway after it was commissioned into service. He was a member of the Delavan American Legion and the League of Minnesota Postmasters where he served as a past president and he was chosen as Minnesota Postmaster of the Year. He also served on the Delavan Fire Department and was very active volunteering in other organizations.

Bill had many hobbies including playing cards, dancing, golf, and sports. He officiated at baseball, softball, and basketball games for over 50 years. He was a player/coach of the 1953 Minnesota state amateur baseball championship team from Delavan. He was instrumental in starting little league baseball and coached for many years while in Delavan. Bill was inducted into the Minnesota Sports Federation Hall of Fame, Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame and the Minnesota High School Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was an avid fan of all activities his children and grandchildren were involved in.

Bill is survived by his wife, Maryce of Mankato; children, Judy (Jerry) Hauer of Buffalo, Mike (Laurel) Murry of Robbinsdale, Chuck (Sara) Murry of Winnebago, Tim (Connie) Murry of North Mankato, Rich (Dana) Murry of Mankato, Phil (Debbie) Murry of LeCenter, and Joan (Don) Wesely of Eagle Lake; 26 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; brother, Jim (Mary) Murry of Delavan; and many extended family.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and a niece, Cathy Murry.

Bill’s positive spirit and ability to see the good in everyone will be dearly missed.