Obituary for William Harold "Bill" Murdoch
William Harold “Bill” Murdoch was born on September 28, 1927, the youngest child
of William Claud Murdoch and Ida Fridell Murdoch. He passed on April 10, 2023, at the age of ninety-five. He was predeceased by his parents and six siblings: Walsie (born 1906), Clarence (1909), Leslie (1912), Hugh (1914), Elaine (1916), and David Quentin (1919).
Growing up in Atkins, Bill and Katie lived across the street from each other, in
homes that are still standing. Bill lived in the building which now houses the Joe Duvall
CPA building, and Katie lived in the home now occupied by the Swain’s. Bill was
enamored with Katie since first noticing her when he was in the 5 th grade. He showed
his interest by chasing her around the school house several times. On the next
Valentine’s Day, he gave her a quarter, an impressive gift for the time, which resulted in
the beginning of their relationship. On January 27, 1946, they were married in secret,
lacking parental approval at that time, and traveled to Clarksville, Arkansas to obtain a
marriage license and a pastor willing to perform the ceremony. Afterwards, they each
went back to their own homes for about three months until their marriage was
discovered and their cover was blown.
Bill served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, and was a long
time employee of the United States Postal Service, retiring in 1983 as the Assistant
Postmaster in Russellville, Arkansas. Thereafter, he began a long career of volunteer
service with the Kiwanis Club of Russellville, Arkansas, at times serving as Lieutenant
Governor for the Mo-Ark District and as local chapter President. He graduated from
Atkins High School, Class of 1946, being the last surviving member of his class.
Katie started her adult life as a teacher for returning World War II veterans
teaching English grammar. She taught in the Atkins Public School System for several
years, and then became a homemaker to raise her children. In 1964, she began
teaching in the Pottsville School System. In 1969 she became employed by the
Regional Library System in Dardanelle. In 1985, she was employed by the Pope
County Library System. While employed in that capacity, she began to collect historical
and genealogical records for the Pope County Library System. In time, this area of the
library was dedicated as the Katie Murdoch Genealogy and History Room, “in
appreciation of her outstanding and unselfish work and support for the people of Pope
County through her service at the Pope County Library.” She graduated as
Valedictorian from Atkins High School, Class of 1948, being the last surviving member
of her class.
In retirement, Bill and Katie enjoyed traveling in their camper and eating dinner
on Friday nights with their friends, Troy and Margie Burris, Hays and Jean Barnett,
George and Maryanna Bailey, and Grady and Louise Hays. Saturday night was
reserved for their grandchildren, who had standing reservations for overnight stays. To
this day, the debate continues among the grandchildren as to who enjoyed those times
the most.
Bill and Katie are survived by a daughter, Angela Kathryn Murdoch Pierce
(Richard), a son, Timothy Webb Murdoch (Tressie Marshall), five grandsons, Dale
Wayne Brown II (Katelyn), Christopher William “Kit” Brown (Melanie), Brett Tyson
Murdoch, Cort Grayson Murdoch (Brittany), and Connor David Murdoch, two step-
grandchildren, Stephen Richard Pierce (Lezlee), and Gregory Alan Pierce (Mallory), five
great –grandchildren, William Murdoch Brown, Eleanor Louise “Birdie” Brown, Pierce
Thomas Brown, Ruby Kate Brown, and Theodore William Brown, eight step-great
grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews. Many
friends predeceased them, including their Friday night dinner group, and lifelong friends
Alvis and Nina Tackett.
The family wishes to extend its gratitude to the unbelievable staff of Stella Manor
Nursing Center and Arkansas Hospice for their excellent care and support.
Visitation will be held at the Lemley Funeral Chapel in Atkins, Arkansas at 1:15
p.m. on Thursday, April 13, 2023. Funeral Services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Burial will
be at Oakland Cemetery in Atkins, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, the family would be
honored by donations made to the Pope County Library System or the Russellville
Kiwanis Club.
Online obituary and condolences are available at www.lemleyfuneral.com.
of William Claud Murdoch and Ida Fridell Murdoch. He passed on April 10, 2023, at the age of ninety-five. He was predeceased by his parents and six siblings: Walsie (born 1906), Clarence (1909), Leslie (1912), Hugh (1914), Elaine (1916), and David Quentin (1919).
Growing up in Atkins, Bill and Katie lived across the street from each other, in
homes that are still standing. Bill lived in the building which now houses the Joe Duvall
CPA building, and Katie lived in the home now occupied by the Swain’s. Bill was
enamored with Katie since first noticing her when he was in the 5 th grade. He showed
his interest by chasing her around the school house several times. On the next
Valentine’s Day, he gave her a quarter, an impressive gift for the time, which resulted in
the beginning of their relationship. On January 27, 1946, they were married in secret,
lacking parental approval at that time, and traveled to Clarksville, Arkansas to obtain a
marriage license and a pastor willing to perform the ceremony. Afterwards, they each
went back to their own homes for about three months until their marriage was
discovered and their cover was blown.
Bill served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, and was a long
time employee of the United States Postal Service, retiring in 1983 as the Assistant
Postmaster in Russellville, Arkansas. Thereafter, he began a long career of volunteer
service with the Kiwanis Club of Russellville, Arkansas, at times serving as Lieutenant
Governor for the Mo-Ark District and as local chapter President. He graduated from
Atkins High School, Class of 1946, being the last surviving member of his class.
Katie started her adult life as a teacher for returning World War II veterans
teaching English grammar. She taught in the Atkins Public School System for several
years, and then became a homemaker to raise her children. In 1964, she began
teaching in the Pottsville School System. In 1969 she became employed by the
Regional Library System in Dardanelle. In 1985, she was employed by the Pope
County Library System. While employed in that capacity, she began to collect historical
and genealogical records for the Pope County Library System. In time, this area of the
library was dedicated as the Katie Murdoch Genealogy and History Room, “in
appreciation of her outstanding and unselfish work and support for the people of Pope
County through her service at the Pope County Library.” She graduated as
Valedictorian from Atkins High School, Class of 1948, being the last surviving member
of her class.
In retirement, Bill and Katie enjoyed traveling in their camper and eating dinner
on Friday nights with their friends, Troy and Margie Burris, Hays and Jean Barnett,
George and Maryanna Bailey, and Grady and Louise Hays. Saturday night was
reserved for their grandchildren, who had standing reservations for overnight stays. To
this day, the debate continues among the grandchildren as to who enjoyed those times
the most.
Bill and Katie are survived by a daughter, Angela Kathryn Murdoch Pierce
(Richard), a son, Timothy Webb Murdoch (Tressie Marshall), five grandsons, Dale
Wayne Brown II (Katelyn), Christopher William “Kit” Brown (Melanie), Brett Tyson
Murdoch, Cort Grayson Murdoch (Brittany), and Connor David Murdoch, two step-
grandchildren, Stephen Richard Pierce (Lezlee), and Gregory Alan Pierce (Mallory), five
great –grandchildren, William Murdoch Brown, Eleanor Louise “Birdie” Brown, Pierce
Thomas Brown, Ruby Kate Brown, and Theodore William Brown, eight step-great
grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews. Many
friends predeceased them, including their Friday night dinner group, and lifelong friends
Alvis and Nina Tackett.
The family wishes to extend its gratitude to the unbelievable staff of Stella Manor
Nursing Center and Arkansas Hospice for their excellent care and support.
Visitation will be held at the Lemley Funeral Chapel in Atkins, Arkansas at 1:15
p.m. on Thursday, April 13, 2023. Funeral Services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Burial will
be at Oakland Cemetery in Atkins, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, the family would be
honored by donations made to the Pope County Library System or the Russellville
Kiwanis Club.
Online obituary and condolences are available at www.lemleyfuneral.com.