The Hadwen Family of Lancashire

Larry William Murray, also known as Bill or Billy, was born on Aug. 14, 1949 to Lawrence and Emylu Murray at the Mammoth Hospital in Mammath Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park. He married his best friend and eternal companion, Nancy Jane Avis, on April 22, 1971 and joined her in heaven on July 27, 2008.

Billy loved his family dearly and was a friend to us all. He loved learning from and helping his Aunt Lorna and Uncle Dave Condon, who cared for him as a child while his parents were ill and raised him as their own after they passed away. Uncle Dave taught him a great appreciation about the wildlife and preservation of the environment while living in Yosemite and the Great Smokies. He enjoyed his one on one time with Aunt Lorna, drinking a cup of coffee and conversing about memories and current events on her porch swing while admiring the beautiful view of the pond. He found great pleasure as a boy sitting and listening to Marianne read such literature as "Treasure Island" and "A Tale of Two Cities." As an adult reflecting back, he was thankful for Wilson's patience and tolerance while tending him as a child. Billy was separated from his younger brother Paul at youth. He greatly missed him and cherished the many hours spent visiting with him on the phone. He greatly adored his Grandmother Alice H. Murray and stories about Grandfather Wilson.

Billy was an Eagle Scout where he earned many badges and later joined the U.S. Marines. In his youth, he was an avid rock climber and loved the freedom. He traveled across America with only a duffle bag in hand. In 1969 he went to work for Ted Hatch and ran rivers in Utah, Arizona and the Grand Canyon. He had many great stories to tell about running the river with our great family friend Bosco and other boatmen. He worked for the cable company and later hired on at Mountain Bell as a backhoe operator. In addition, he took pride in working seasonally for the Park Service at the Dinosaur Quarry Campgrounds for several years. Then, with the help of Ken Lesh, he found his true calling as a surveyor for the U.S. Forest Service. This allowed him to hike and enjoy the beauty of nature. He also became quite the extreme ATV driver. He absolutely loved to make topo maps on his computer in his spare time. He also met many great people, whom he had a lot of respect for, working for the Forest Service.

After purchasing a green horse for his daughter he built a beautiful round corral and loafing shed. It did not take long for him to become interested in training and riding horses. He trained many horses for several people. He even attended horse shoeing clinics where he learned to forge and shoe his own horses. Larry and Nancy spent many weekends and weeknights supporting their daughters at practices and horse shows. He eventually started participating in practices and horse shows as well. but found more pleasure in going on many trail rides.

Larry and Nancy cherished one another's company. They always visited in the morning at breakfast, made sure to ask how each other's day went before dinner, and made sure everyone knew how much they loved them. They found pleasure in watching the sunset every evening together. They relished the shade of the front yard free and the frequent drop-ins from family, friends and neighbors. They also loved the visits from many bird families.

Larry helped out many people in many ways. If you befriended him he would give you the shirt off of his back. But what he will always be remembered by most, will be for driving his blue ‘52 Chevy pick-up truck, the bandanna around his forehead, his dog by his side, and his peace sign to say "Hello" or "Goodbye" which he has handed down to the next generations. Peace Dad, we Love You.

Larry William Murray is survived by his children, Lena (David) Rasmussen; Alyssa Murray; Heidi (Rick)Aguilan and Lisa (Rod) Preece; grandchildren, Nauteka and Tatiana Thompson; Wakara and Jesse Aguilar, and Cindy and David Lewis; his brother, Paul (Mary Lou) Murray; his aunt (mom), Lorna Condon; cousins (brother and sister), Wilson (Susan) Condon; and Marianne (Dennis) Donelley; brother, Bosco (Kathy) Bosler.

He is preceded in death by his best friend and wife, Nancy Jane Murray; father and mother, Lawrence and Emylu (Lillie) Murray; uncle (dad), Dave D. Condon; aunt, Eunrice (Murray) Brass; grandfather and grandmother, Wilson and Alice (Hacking) Murray.

Funeral Services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the Vernal Thomson Blackburn Mortuary. Friends may call Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday morning one hour prior. Burial will be at the Maeser Fairview Complementary. Under the direction of Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.