Obituary for William (Bones) Murren, Jr.
William Earl (Bones) Murren, Jr., 87, of Canyon, died unexpectedly on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at BSA Hospital.
A Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon.
“Bones” Murren was born March 3, 1935 in Atlantic City, New Jersey to William Earl Murren, Sr. and Amanda Dorothy (Hazlett) Murren. He was raised by his caring and loving mother. He contracted Spinal Meningitis at a young age and was told by the doctors he would not be able to run and participate in sports. He loved basketball and fought hard to play. When his friend playing at Decatur Baptist College told his coach about Bones’ ability to shoot and score about 30 points per game, the coach invited him to come try out after the Christmas holidays; and he was given a basketball scholarship. He later played at Texas Tech from 1962 to 1964 and finished his degree. He played some semi-pro basketball and served in the army. He received his master’s degree from West Texas State University.
Bones coached girls’ basketball and taught at Lubbock Coronado and other schools in the Texas Panhandle. His coach at Decatur was Dennis Walling, who was later hired by West Texas State University as the head men’s basketball coach. Coach Walling later hired Mr. Murren as a fulltime assistant coach (1970-1972). Coach Bob Schneider then hired him to assist coaching the WTSU women’s basketball team. Coach Schneider says that Bones was a “pure” shooter with his technique.
Bones settled in Canyon for his retirement where he made many friends. He loved to read and spent many hours at the Canyon Public Library. Tricia Shaw and other librarians helped him day to day, and he loved to spend time reading or on the computers. Many employees at United Supermarket, including Joe Sanders, befriended him; and Bones loved to hang out at the Deli to eat and watch TV.
When he broke a bone in his ankle a few months ago, Lonnie and Tricia Shaw invited him to rehab at Skywest Assisted Living Center. After he could walk a little better, he was able to continue attending Canyon Country Church, where he enjoyed Jeff Cates’ preaching.
Those who will miss him include, Bobby and Joy “Williams” Anderson of El Paso; Lonnie and Tricia Shaw and the staff at Skywest who lovingly cared for him. Others who took time getting to know him and help him out when he needed help and would let them help include, Galen Chandler, Gary and Sandra Peterson, Dan Hall, Marty Haney, Mary Adams, and others at the library, Joe Sanders and many at United Supermarket, especially at the Deli. Chief Steven Brush also went the extra mile helping him when broke his ankle. Pastor Jeff Cates also deserves a special thank you for his care.
A Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon.
“Bones” Murren was born March 3, 1935 in Atlantic City, New Jersey to William Earl Murren, Sr. and Amanda Dorothy (Hazlett) Murren. He was raised by his caring and loving mother. He contracted Spinal Meningitis at a young age and was told by the doctors he would not be able to run and participate in sports. He loved basketball and fought hard to play. When his friend playing at Decatur Baptist College told his coach about Bones’ ability to shoot and score about 30 points per game, the coach invited him to come try out after the Christmas holidays; and he was given a basketball scholarship. He later played at Texas Tech from 1962 to 1964 and finished his degree. He played some semi-pro basketball and served in the army. He received his master’s degree from West Texas State University.
Bones coached girls’ basketball and taught at Lubbock Coronado and other schools in the Texas Panhandle. His coach at Decatur was Dennis Walling, who was later hired by West Texas State University as the head men’s basketball coach. Coach Walling later hired Mr. Murren as a fulltime assistant coach (1970-1972). Coach Bob Schneider then hired him to assist coaching the WTSU women’s basketball team. Coach Schneider says that Bones was a “pure” shooter with his technique.
Bones settled in Canyon for his retirement where he made many friends. He loved to read and spent many hours at the Canyon Public Library. Tricia Shaw and other librarians helped him day to day, and he loved to spend time reading or on the computers. Many employees at United Supermarket, including Joe Sanders, befriended him; and Bones loved to hang out at the Deli to eat and watch TV.
When he broke a bone in his ankle a few months ago, Lonnie and Tricia Shaw invited him to rehab at Skywest Assisted Living Center. After he could walk a little better, he was able to continue attending Canyon Country Church, where he enjoyed Jeff Cates’ preaching.
Those who will miss him include, Bobby and Joy “Williams” Anderson of El Paso; Lonnie and Tricia Shaw and the staff at Skywest who lovingly cared for him. Others who took time getting to know him and help him out when he needed help and would let them help include, Galen Chandler, Gary and Sandra Peterson, Dan Hall, Marty Haney, Mary Adams, and others at the library, Joe Sanders and many at United Supermarket, especially at the Deli. Chief Steven Brush also went the extra mile helping him when broke his ankle. Pastor Jeff Cates also deserves a special thank you for his care.