Willard Murray "Murray" WILSON
Marriages
ALBERTA LUPTON
Burial Details
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 1 - January 26, 1961
DEATH CLAIMS FORMER SHERIFF
A chapter in Eagle County's history was closed this week when Murray Wilson passed away in Mercy Hospital, Denver January 24, following a long illness.
"Mr. Sheriff" will be buried in Eagle Friday afternoon with Colorado's Patrol Chief, Gilbert Carrell among the pallbearers taking Murray to his last resting place.
For more than a decade over a quarter of a century, Murray served Eagle County as sheriff. During that time he became one of the best known and respected officers of the law in Colorado. He worked during a more lusty era in the county -- when selling and drinking whiskey was unlawful --during the construction days of the Dotsero Cutoff -- during Camp Hale days int he '40s.. Called upon to investigate and make arrests in a number of murders.
Murray knew the heartbreak of many families -- the shame and sin of others. With his pursuit of law and order, he was also known as a compassionate and understanding officer and man. The persons who were arrested by Murray, held him in as deep respect as those who had no brush with the law.
With all his greatness, Sheriff Wilson shied from the limelight of publicity. At one time during his career, he turned down a request made by the Saturday Evening Post to do a feature on him.
Many men, aspiring to be sheriff of Eagle County, were defeated when voters went to the polls.
Since Murray's retirement two years ago, his health has steadily declined. He had been in the Denver hospital since the day after Christmas when death claimed him.
The funeral service will be conducted by Reverend H.C. Moorhead Friday afternoon in the Eagle Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Miller Mortuary of Eagle is in charge of arrangements and burial will be in Eagle.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 2 - January 25, 1961
