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Murry Ralph Williams, 64, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away Sept. 22, 2024, at Hospice of the Valley, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
A Graveside Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Sept. 5, at Graceland Cemetery in Creston. Pastor Jodi Rushing will officiate.
Murry Ralph was born Nov. 5, 1959, to Thelda Marie and Melvin Dean Williams in Creston. He was the oldest of the three children, alongside two sisters, Cynthia Marie Williams and Christina Jo Smith Williams. He attended Cortez High School and earned a GED in 1978.
Murry married Dana Darlene on March 13, 1982. They had two sons, Benjamin Justin Davis and John Everett, and grandson Javani Padilla. The family lived in Phoenix.
Murry lived with his parents and sisters in Creston and Omaha, Nebraska, before moving to Phoenix. In 1971, he moved to Phoenix and attended grade school at Cholla Elementary, and Cortez High School. After earning his GED, Murry worked at JC Penney’s as a security guard, and then earned his certification in horse shoeing. In 1985, Murry joined the Phoenix Police Department.
Murry worked at the South Mountain Precinct, which was named Unit of the Year in 1997. Murry held several positions with the Phoenix Police Department, but one of his favorites was working as a Community Action Officer shutting down slumlords. Murry was a certified master instructor in an array of tactical weapons and finished his career at the police academy as a firearms instructor. On May 22, 1995, Murry was recommended for a Medal of Valor Award for his action during a domestic violence incident. He retired June 12, 2004.
While retired, Murry had many interests which included reading, music theory, Japanese culture, tactical training and shooting, fishing, 1970s rock music, building amplifiers and playing guitar.
Murry was predeceased by his parents, Melvin and Thelda Williams, and his sister Christina Jo Smith Williams.
He is survived by his wife, Dana Darlene Williams; sons, Benjamin Justin Davis (Emory Green) and John Everett (Marissa Padilla); grandson Javani Padilla; sister Cynthia Williams and nephew Mathew Murry Smith.