William "Bill" Murdock

Murdock, William (Bill) Cyrus
92, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on June 13, 2014 at Sierra Winds Health Center in Peoria, Arizona. He was born April 13, 1922 in Pittsburgh, Iowa to Elsie (Kerr) Murdock and Rev. Reynolds Cyrus Murdock. He earned his bachelor's degree from Iowa Wesleyan and a Masters of Commerce from the University of Iowa. He was an active member and officer of the Iowa Wesleyan chapter of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and won the men's bridge tournament at the University of Iowa. He proudly served his country during World War II in the Army Air Force. He was in the 422nd bomb squadron, 305th Bombardment Group (H), 8th USAAF, based in
Chelveston Airdrome, England. He flew 35 missions as a navigator on a B-17 bomber earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and the EAME ribbon with three bronze stars and he retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force reserves in 1982. Some of his fondest memories were of his time spent in the military. Following the war he married Joyce Keefer and they settled in Glenview, Illinois where they raised their two daughters. He spent his 32 year business career with the Standard Oil Company (now British Petroleum, BP) retiring as Manager of Organizational and Manpower Planning. Bill volunteered with the Chicago United Way Fund and received an award for helping the organization reach collection goals and he was the president of the young republicans of the 49th ward in Chicago. Bill enjoyed traveling with Joyce and his extended family, playing golf, stock market trading, working at his computer, and stamp collecting. He wrote comprehensive books of genealogy on the Murdock, Kerr, Pinkerton, and Mort families. He enjoyed playing bridge, poker, and any other game he thought he had a chance of winning. He will be remembered for his laughter, especially following one of his own jokes, his strong financial acumen, and his commitment to planning. He and Joyce made quite the team during their 67 year marriage enjoying lots of time and trips with family and friends. He was an amazing husband and father. Bill and Joyce enjoyed fifteen years retired in Lake Wylie, South Carolina and seventeen years in Phoenix, Arizona. He accumulated many good friends through his life journey and made an effort to make everyone feel special. Bill was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Doris Murdock. Survivors include his wife, Joyce, his brother Carl (Ione) Murdock of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, his daughters Kimberly (Michael) Burrell of Indianapolis, Indiana and Cynthia (Mark) Roop of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Scott (Tiffany Fenster) Burrell, Michael (Sonya) Burrell Jr., Jennifer (Michael) Kiefer, Kaitlin Kaufmann, Ian Roop, and Adrienne Roop; great-grandchildren, Emma and Will Kiefer, Ava and Tanner Burrell; nephews, Calvin (Susan) Murdock and Douglas (Kristi) Murdock. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Graveside services will be held on Friday 6-20-2014 at 10:00 AM at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Burial Arrangements by Camino Del Sol, Sun City West, Arizona. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Salvation Army or the charity of your choice.