William Theodore 'Ted' McMurdo, 78

William Theodore “Ted” McMurdo passed away at North Valley Hospital on Jan. 7, 2018, with his wife Patty by his side.

Ted was born June 12, 1939, in Eureka to Bill and Hazel McMurdo. They moved to Whitefish, where he went to grade school. The family moved to Fairfield, Montana, where Ted graduated from the eighth grade. They later moved back to Whitefish, where he attended high school.

Ted joined the Navy in 1956. He spent four years on a ship traveling to foreign soils. After the Navy Ted came home and went to work for American Timber as a skidder operator. Later he bought his own skidder and went gyppo logging.

Hunting and fishing were Ted’s life. I don’t think there is a creek or river he hadn’t fished from — Alaska, Mexico, Florida and California — he had dipped a fishing rod in some creek. Hunting was a passion of Ted’s. He would take the whole hunting season off or quit the job. Ted went to the top of all the mountains from Eureka and the Bob Marshall Wilderness to the Gravellys in Dillon. Bowhunting became his new love.

In 1969, between fishing and hunting, Ted married Patricia Marie “Patty” Smith on April 12, just before the opening of fishing season. That catch must have been a keeper, because they were married for 48 years.

Ted leaves his wife Patty and lots of nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, a whole lifetime of friends, and especially his nephew David; those two had some great hunting and fishing trips. He also leaves his best friend Jerry; those two boys tramped the North Fork woods and sought out the best hunting grounds. The elk and the deer will have a quieter hunting season in the future.

Ted was preceded in death by his mother Hazel, dad Bill, and sister Sally; along with aunts, uncles and cousins.

Ted will be deeply missed but never forgotten. I love you so.

A sincere thank you to North Valley Hospital and its staff who took special care of Ted.

There was a memorial service held Jan. 13 at the VFW Post 276 in Whitefish.

There will be another memorial this summer that will be announced at a later date.