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Wallace Murchison Obituary

WALLACE CARMICHAEL MURCHISON Wallace Carmichael Murchison, 93, died on June 2, 2013 at his home. He was born Oct. 27, 1919, one of five children of David Reid Murchison, M.D., and May Carmichael Murchison. His wife, Susan Shands Murchison, predeceased him in September 1995. He was also predeceased by his brother, David R. Murchison. He is survived by his beloved best friend, Maurine A. "Dink" Elebash; his beloved children Michael Murchison, and his wife, Barbara J. Sullivan, of Wilmington; Joseph Shands Murchison and his wife, Marilyn B. Murchison, of Laurel, Md.; Robert A. Murchison and his partner, Bill Butte, of Deerfield Beach, Fla., and Susan M. Racine and her husband, Carl E. Racine, of Boston Massachusetts; and his beloved grandchildren, Rachel, Charles, Katie and Michael Murchison and Joshua Racine. He is also survived by his sister, Loulie M. Eggleston, and two brothers, Joel Williams Murchison and John R. Murchison, II. He received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1941, his J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina in 1946 and an L.L.M. from Harvard Law School in 1947. He served in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific theater. Mr. Murchison was co-founder and long-time partner in the Wilmington law firm of Murchison, Fox and Newton, now known as Murchison, Taylor & Gibson, PLLC. Mr. Murchison served on the boards of numerous civic, community and professional organizations, often in a leadership capacity, including the Board of Governors of the N.C. Bar Association, the New Hanover County Bar Association, the American College of Probate Counsel, the United Fund, the Historic Wilmington Foundation, the Civitan Club, the Bellamy Mansion, the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, the Cape Fear United Way, the UNCW Foundation and many others. He was a devout member of St. John's Episcopal Church and served faithfully on the vestry for many years. He also served in a number of positions with the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina and its Foundation. The family will entertain visitors at the home, 1720 Fairway Drive, on Tuesday, June 4th from 4 to 7pm. The funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, June 5th at 2pm at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1219 Forest Hills Drive, with a reception to follow at the church. Memorial gifts may be made to St. John's Church or to the charity of the donor's choice. The family would like to thank Dr. Michael McWilliams, Dr. Edward Whitesides, Dr. Paul Kamitsuka and Mr. Murchison's other caregivers for their care during Mr. Murchison's illness. Online condolences may be made at www.andrewsmortuary.com Andrews Market Street Chapel

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Wilmington Star-News from Jun. 3 to Jun. 4, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Wallace Murchison

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June 10, 2013

We are sorry to hear of your Father's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Louis, Jessie & Becky Newton

June 7, 2013

Dearest Susan, Michael, Joe, and Robert,

Your Dad was special - to his family, his church, his community, and to each of us who was blessed to have him as a part of our life. I am so very sorry that I could not be with you, to help celebrate a life so well lived.

With love and prayers for each of you,

Nancy S. Marks

June 7, 2013

Robert and I felt a deep sense of loss upon hearing of Mr. Murchison's death. We never saw Mr. Murchison when he did not have a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He just enjoyed life! He is a shining example of a southern gentleman. Mr. Murchison was highly respected, admired and emulated. He made countless contributions to his community and church. Wilmington (especially the Historic District) would be a much different place were it not for his vision and investments of time, money and unwearied effort. He will be missed! May your fond memories of good times shared and the kind thoughts of friends and family sustain you at this difficult time. Our love to you all. Robert and Julie Boatwright Pettee

Courtney Bryan-Caron

June 6, 2013

Michael, Joe, Robert & Susan (and families) - Wanted you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. So sorry I was unable to get to Wilmington for the service. Your dad will be missed by many!

Deborah and Ty Watts

June 5, 2013

Wallace was one of Christ's own showing others the way. Oh how he will be missed, especially by those at St. John's.

Rose & Michaell Kyriakoudes

June 5, 2013

May God bless you and Know that you will be kept in our prayers. Wallace will will be missed by many.

June 5, 2013

Dr. C. Allen Avera

June 4, 2013

When Wallace came to church, he always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile for Dink! He was a solid Christian, and there is no doubt in my mind that he is already in heaven aad wrapped in the arms of God and united with Susan. I loved that he brought his Bible and study books with him in a Harris Teeter bag! An unassuming, humble, wonderful, and sweet, sweet man. May God bless him and his family...

Toni Tucker

Garet Evans

June 4, 2013

A lovely man and deeply committed to preserving Wilmington. The sympathy of all at the Bellamy museum go to Wallace's family.

Emilie Swearingen

June 4, 2013

Civitan and the community has lost a wonderful friend. Our meetings will not be the same without Wallace's smiling face and words of wisdom.

Betsy Free

June 4, 2013

I was just informed of the death of Wallace. My family and I lived next door to Wallace and Susan when our children were growing up. We all have precious memories of those days.Such a great loss to Wilmington...a life well lived.He will surely be missed.
Betsy Etters Free, St.Johns, Florida

Mike and Nancy Gorman

June 3, 2013

Your father was a wonderful Christian man, full of life and love. We will miss him very much. With our love and prayers.

Edward Vacek,SJ

June 3, 2013

My prayers are with the family. I am a friend of his daughter, Susan Racine.

Antonio Puente

June 3, 2013

Wilmington and North Carolina has lost a leader, a gentleman and a wonderful human being.

SUE STEVENSON

June 3, 2013

Wallace was such a 'gentleman' and strong Christian. He will be sadly missed by his friends and followers at St. John's Episcopal Church in Wilmington.

Ben Parsley

June 3, 2013

What a great friend we have lost. Wallace was always so full of life. Our hearts and prayers go out to you all at this time, and in the days ahead. Walter L Parsley family

June 3, 2013

Wallace was such a light in our lives. The Bekaerts will miss him even though we are way away in Florida!

Marjorie, Susan, Margie Dew (and Bryan!)

June 3, 2013

What a lovely gentleman. Charlotte Robinson

Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results

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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Andrews Mortuary and Crematory - Market Street Chapel - Wilmington

1617 Market St., Wilmington, NC 28401

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