Wilfred ‘Bill’ A Murray

OREGON, Ill. — Wilfred “Bill” A Murray, 81, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2025 at AdventHealth Deland Hospital, Deland FL. Bill was born on February 6, 1944 to Ernest and Luella Murray in Powers-Spalding, Mich. He graduated from Powers-Spalding High School class of 1962. He attended Green Bay Badger Business College. He then married his high school sweetheart Barbara (nee Bellefeuil) and returned back to Powers Mich. He worked locally until he was accepted by Northern Michigan University for a special manpower data processing training program. Upon completion, he and Barb moved to Rockford, Ill. where Bill was employed as a programmer with National Lock Corporation. In May of 1967, they moved back to Powers to operate a truckstop restaurant originally founded by Barb’s father. In August of 1971, Bill returned to his first love (computers) and took a position as a data processing system analyst with Kable News Company, Mt. Morris, IL and worked his way through the corporate ranks.

In October of 1985 Bill resigned his position as Director of Business Operations to seek his personal entrepreneur interest. In 1986, Bill and Barb, along with the help of their son Dean, founded Spectrum Printing in the neighboring community of Oregon, Ill. In November of 1989, Bill and Barb, along with their daughter Julie and son-in-law Kevin, began Spectrum Data which provides mainframe data processing and direct mail services. Spectrum Data was sold to Bill’s son Dean who in turn sold it to its current owner, Bill’s youngest son David. In 1993 Bill, Barb, Kevin, and Julie purchased Rude’s Custom Butchering and Bill helped with its expansion into Spectrum Preferred Meats until his retirement. Bill and Barb enjoyed 46 years of marriage up until her passing in 2009. Bill loved spending time with his family, wood working, computers, playing cards, ping pong, and also playing the piano/organ. Bill’s oldest son Keith would like it noted that Bill was one of the luckiest cribbage players he’s ever played. Bill is survived by his wife Sharon Murray of Deland, FL (married 2015); his brothers Don Murray of Carney, MI; Roger (friend Jan) Murray of Two Rivers, WI; and Ken (Connie) Murray of Tulsa, OK; and a sister-in-law Barb Murray of Powers-Spalding, MI. Bill leaves behind his four children, Keith (Alana) Murray of Boise, ID; Dean (Kimberly) Murray of Oregon, IL; Julie (Kevin) Rude of Mt. Morris, IL; and David Murray of Oregon, IL. Three stepchildren, Breann Eubanks of Maquakota IA; Ben Berger of Minneapolis MN; and Mark Berger of Long Creek SC. Bill was a wonderful grandfather to 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, including Abigail Murray, Jared (Julia) Murray, Nathan (Lisa) Murray, Eli (Eleanor) Murray, Matthew Murray, Sarah (Daniel) Ross, Ashley (Rob) Dalphonse, Morgan (Austin) Blassage, Garrett (Olivia) Rude, Stephen Dalphonse, Bennett Dalphonse, Sophie Dalphonse, Cambry Eubanks, Cashton Eubanks, Bradley Cowan, Natalie Cowan, Juliet Ross, Natalie Murray, Eliza Murray, and Bodhi Rude, and another grandson due in June of 2025. Bill was preceded in death by his father Ernest Murray, his mother Luella Murray, his first wife Barbara Murray, his brother Terry Murray, and his brother Joe Murray. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday April 5 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Oregon, Illl. with Father Bernard Sehr officiating. Burial will be held at St. Mary Cemetery, Oregon, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Serenity Hospice and Home, Oregon, IL. Visit www.farrellhollandgale.com to leave a condolence or memory of Bill.