William Libbey Murchie

William L. Murchie, 95 of Devils Lake formerly of Sarles, ND died on Saturday, February 17, 2007 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Bill will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home Chapel, Devils Lake, ND. Rev. Adrian Olson will officiate and burial will be in the Sarles Cemetery in the spring. Military Honors will be accorded by the Brumwell-Gray American Legion Post No. 276, Sarles, North Dakota. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Bill will be Jerry Estenson, Harold Estenson, Dave Nickerson, Ray Samuelson, Graham Oakland and Wayne Hackett William Libbey Murchie was born on December 23, 1911 in Sarles, ND the son of William Sillers and Lyda Mae (Libbey) Murchie. He grew up, attended school and graduated from Sarles High School. In the summer of 1934, Bill joined the CCC where he spent much of his tour teaching photography. Bill entered the United States Army on May 20, 1942 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota and served his country during World War II with the Anti-Aircraft Battalion. He was stationed in North Africa, Sardinia and Europe and was honorably discharged at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on October 22, 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his discharge he returned to the Sarles area where he farmed for most of his life. He also raised cattle and horses; he especially enjoyed horses. Many children of the Sarles area remember riding Bill’s horses. Bill served as a rural mail carrier for the US Postal Service and received commendation for 39 years of service. Bill was a faithful mailman, delivering mail in the worst of weather and road conditions much of the time. Bill was united in marriage to Dorothy Jensen in 1962. They established their home in Sarles, living and working there until 1998 when they moved to Devils Lake. Dorothy died on May 9, 2001. Bill continued to make his home in Devils Lake, moving to the Good Samaritan Center in 2003. Bill was a member of the Sarles Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday School and the Sarles American Legion as a member for over 50 years, usually as Chaplain. Bill is survived by his daughter, Kathy Cook of Phoenix, AZ Step Children: Richard Coe and his wife, Bev of Ogden, UT Donald Coe of Las Vegas, NV Michael Jensen of Las Vegas, NV Ten Grandchildren Five Great Grandchildren Three Great Great Grandchildren Many Nieces, Nephews, Grand Nieces and Grand Nephews also survive. Preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy; stepson, Dan Jensen; brothers, Glenn and Howard Murchie; sister, Helen Lambert.