DeLoyce McMurray

DeLoyce "Dee" McMurray was called home to be with the Lord on August 10, 2015, at Memorial Hospital in Springfield, IL.Dee was born on January 22, 1926 in Edwardsville, IL, the youngest of five children of the late Lillard and Ruth (Rice) McMurray. Dee was united in holy matrimony to Alleen Galloway on June 4, 1947, in Alton, IL. He worked as a civilian employee for thirty-six years with the U.S. Department of Defense where his job took him to locations in Missouri, Illinois and Bangkok, Thailand.Dee was a student in the Edwardsville Public School District throughout his childhood, and a graduate of Edwardsville Senior High School. He attended college at Illinois State University on the GI Bill, and became a computer specialist. He enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps in 1944, at eighteen years of age. He served in the Pacific, primarily in Guam, Wake Island, and Saipan. He moved wounded troops to safety during the battle of Imo Jima. As a corporal, he was part of the second division, and received military training at Montford Point, a segregated camp for black marines in North Carolina. In July 2013, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, which is the nation's highest civilian honor and expression of appreciation. The medal was bestowed upon him by United States Senator Richard Durbin at a special, individual hometown ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, IL.Dee was an active member of Campbell Chapel AME Church in Alton, IL, and a founding member of Unity Fellowship church in Godfrey, IL. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP, and he held memberships in the following organizations: Dunbar Masonic Lodge #97, National Association of Computer Specialists, Chairman on the Board of Directors of the Middletown Neighborhood Center, board member of the Madison County Urban League, Illinois Fire and Police Commissioner's Association, Southwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging Board, American Legion Post #354, and 100 Black Men of America.Preceding Dee in death were his parents; wife, Alleen McMurray; sister, Doris Gordy; brothers: Elliott, Wesley, Lillard, Jr.; and nieces: Pat and Carla Jean McMurray.He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Neyna Jo (Milton) Johnson of Springfield, IL; son, Dru Alan McMurray of Maywood, IL; grandchildren: Brian (Tracey) Johnson of Herculaneum, MO, Kimberly Johnson of Maywood, IL, Sheena (DeAndre) Moore of Ft. Lewis, WA, Matthew (Erin) McMurray of Chicago, IL, Whitney McMurray of Maywood, IL, and Kristen McMurray of Wheaton, IL; great- grandchildren: Nicholas Johnson, Kylie Johnson, Kendall Johnson, Brandon Moore, Jackson McMurray, Ryan Moore and Vanessa McMurray; nieces: Dorthea Washington, Ruth Ann McMullen, Joyce Reeves, Jill Graham, and Sharon Graham; nephews: Sanford McMurray Sr., John Bumphus, and James Price Jr.; along with great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.Visitation  Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, from 9: 00 a.m. until time service at 10:00 a.m. at Unity Fellowship Church, 1301 W. Delmar, Godfrey, IL 62035Rev. Charles burton EulogistBurial Upper Alton Cemetery with full Military Honors VFW Post 1308Cathy M. Williams & Sons Funeral Home in charge of arrangements

Obit Provided By:
Cathy M Williams & Sons Funeral Home