William Conrad "Bill" McMurray

William Conrad “Bill” McMurray of Yadkinville passed away on November 12, 2024 after a long illness. He was born in Surry County December 17, 1945 to the late E.W. and Eleanor Raad McMurray. He graduated from Yadkinville High School and attended Wake Forest University and Forsyth Technical Institute. He worked for IBM as a field engineer until his retirement in 1997. 

He was a decorated member of the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1971, where he served in Viet Nam and Germany. During his service, he received numerous commendation medals.

 He met the love of his life, Cindy Critcher, in 1967 and they married in 1971, a union that lasted 53 years. No truer love story was ever told. They had no human children but raised five Cocker spaniel children. Although they traveled worldwide, their home was always near Yadkin County, where Bill grew up.

 Bill was everyone’s “Mr. Fix-It” — he could repair almost anything mechanical. He completely restored four antique cars, ranging from a 1930s A-Model Ford to a 1950s muscle car.. He was a master woodworker, making blanket racks, mechanical pens and pencils from reclaimed wood. He generously gave his works of art to family and friends.

 In retirement, Bill worked at Gentry Family Funeral Service, drove a tour bus, and as a volunteer drove disabled children to and from Victory Junction in Level Cross. He was an active member of the Yadkin Civitan Club for many years and a faithful member of Baltimore Global Methodist Church.

 With a humble spirit, Bill never sought glorification. A selfless soul, he threw himself into community and church activities, doing any job that needed to be done. His strong bass voice rang out from the choir every Sunday morning. As a Baptist preacher’s son, his knowledge of the Bible was vast, and when he spoke up in a Sunday School class, participants listened in rapt attention to his insight into Biblical topics. He was loved and respected for his quiet way and gentlemanly manners.

 Bill is survived by his wife, Cindy; two brothers, Loren and Rod and his wife Libby; numerous nieces and nephews; his sister-in-law and husband Liz and Mike McGuffey; and more friends than he could count. His brother Wes predeceased him. Bill asked that memorials be made to Baltimore Global Methodist Church Building Fund or Victory Junction.

 The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Friday at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville. A Service of Celebration for Bill’s Life will be 11:00 AM Saturday at Baltimore Global Methodist Church by Rev. Bruce Updyke. The family requests for those in attendance, and are able, to wear a bright and colorful article of clothing in Honor of Bill. Full Military Honors will be provided at the church by Yadkin VFW Post 10346. A 3:00 PM graveside service will follow at the Moravian Falls Cemetery on Cemetery Road in Moravian Falls, NC. 

A livestream of the service will be provided through Baltimore Global Methodist Church Facebook and YouTube Channel.