Gary Bill Burnham Murray, 77

Colonel Gary Bill Burnham Murray, Ret., 77, died Nov. 20, 2010, at his home in Whitefish, of natural causes. He was born in Shelby on Oct. 22, 1933, to Burnham and Asche Murray. He spent his early childhood in Whitlash and Shelby, later moving to Havre. He graduated from Havre High School in 1952 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from St. Mary s College in Xavier, Kan., in 1972. While attending Northern Montana College in 1953, he was drafted into the Army. He attended Officers Candidate School and was commissioned as a second lieutenant, becoming a fixed wing and helicopter pilot. He served one year in Korea and two tours in Vietnam, along with one tour in Germany. His last tour in Vietnam, he served in the field with the South Vietnamese military as an advisor. He remained in Vietnam after the war ended on the Peace Keeping Force and assisted with the exchange of Vietnamese prisoners. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Silver Star, along with other commendations. He was an instructor at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., for three years. His later military years were spent at the Pentagon and Harry Diamond Laboratories on research and development of weaponry. His final tour was as an advisor to the National Guard and Reserves in a five state area, based at Fort Snelling, Minn. He retired in 1985 after 30 years of military service and moved with his wife Pauline back to his beloved Montana, settling in Whitefish. In 1987 he started a second career as a real estate agent and broker with Chuck Olson Real Estate. He enjoyed many years golfing, drinking lots of red wine, having lunch with his buddies, Friday night dinner with friends and soaking up the sun in Borrego Springs, Calif. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Pauline, of Whitefish; daughter, Lizabeth, and Scott Patterson, and grandchildren, Kate and Greg of Ashburn, Va.; stepson, Greg Mueller, grandchildren, Dylan, Ayla, Van and Brandt, and great-grandson, Caden of Missoula; sister, Glee Murray, of Washington, D.C.; and brother, Greg Murray, of Billings; and extended family. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, at Whitefish Cemetery. There will be a reception immediately following at Whitefish Lake Golf Course. His favorite charities were Shepherd s Hand Clinic, Salvation Army or Yellowstone Boys and Girls Club. Arrangements are by Austin Funeral Home.