William Ivan (Bill) Murrell's Obituary
Murrell, William Ivan (Bill) Peacefully went home to be with His Loving Father in Heaven in the early morning hours of October 28, 2010 at his home in Plano, TX. He was 86 years of age, having been born on December 28, 1923 in Bessemer, Alabama. He was reunited with his loving wife, Virginia Byrd Reynolds Murrell, who preceded him in death in 1995. He bravely embraced the changes in his life due to his health during the last two years, but his passing came after a sudden, brief bout with leukemia. He wrote a book about his life entitled, “Yours Forever, Ivan” as an answer to his wife’s book entitled “Love Always, Ginner”. They had a great love story which began in a Baptist church, and their marriage lasted 50 years. His message he wanted to convey to others was that life affords you many wonderful opportunities, and if you will watch for them, be honest, and trust in God, you will realize your dreams. He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Mae Rutledge Murrell Ferguson of Ft. Worth, TX and also by his Father, Virgil Stewart Murrell of Vinemont, AL, as well as his older brother, Virgil Stewart Murrell, Jr. of Hurst, TX. After quitting school at age 13 in order to support his ailing, divorced mother, he began his career as a grocery bicycle delivery boy, and he determined early that he wanted an office job, so he pursued a correspondence accounting course. One of his proudest accomplishments was to serve in World War II, as an accountant and tank driver with The Sixteenth Armored Division, under Colonel Perkins and General Patton. When he returned from the war, he gained some bookkeeping experience and then with the help of a couple of businessmen, he launched his accounting career. Mr. L. A Parrish became his mentor, and they established Parrish, Murrell & Company which became one of the most successful Dallas-based accounting firms. He pioneered the use of computer technology for accounting processes, and served as President of the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants in 1968-69. He was a long-time deacon at First Baptist Church of Dallas, where he served on numerous committees and first taught Sunday School for teenage boys, and then was a department Superintendent and co-taught a class with his wife for young married couples. He supported Criswell Bible College students with room and board as well as part-time employment. He and his wife, Virginia, owned a beautiful home on the western shore of White Rock Lake from 1968 to 2009, where he enjoyed walking two miles every morning until having heart valve replacement surgery in 2008. His hobbies included gardening, oil painting, travel, collection of coins, stamps, art, antiques, and books. He and his wife enjoyed the arts, and he served on the Dallas Civic Opera Board and was a member of the Dallas Arboretum, Dallas 100, Dallas 200, Lakewood Country Club, Dallas Country Club, The Horatio Alger Society, and the Rolls Royce Owners Club. Mr. Murrell is survived by three daughters: Melinda Murrell Hoffmann of Plano, TX, Barbara Kay Murrell of Austin, TX (formerly of Dallas, TX), and Shirley Murrell Swartz, of New Braunfels, TX (formerly of Tyler, TX). He also is survived by four grandchildren: Christopher Shaun Hoffmann of Richardson, TX, Shelley Rebecca Hoffmann of Plano, TX, Lauren Rhea Swartz McPherson of New Braunfels, TX (formerly of Tyler, TX) and Kimberly Ann Hoffmann Pickering, of Frisco, TX (formerly of Plano, TX). In January, 2010, two great-grandchildren were added to his lineage: Zoe Taylor McPherson of New Braunfels, TX and Jonah Eric Hoffmann of Richardson, TX. The family will receive visitors Tuesday, October 19, at Restland Funeral Home, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at 9220 Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243. A memorial worship service is planned for Wednesday, October 20, at 12:30 p.m. in Memorial Chapel in Restland Memorial Park. A graveside service will follow immediately in Veterans Garden, ending with a military tribute. Memorials may be made in his honor to The President’s Class of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, TX. The family wishes to especially thank members of the class who have continued to remember him and pray for him during the last two years.
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