Cover photo for Murlyn Ray Killian's Obituary
Murlyn Ray Killian Profile Photo
1932 Murlyn 2015

Murlyn Ray Killian

October 18, 1932 — August 2, 2015

Murlyn Ray Killian was born on October 18, 1932 in Farmersville, Texas to Don and Minnie Jewel Killian. He was the youngest of eight brothers and sisters. After his mother passed during her tenth childbirth, Murlyn grew up surrounded by his large family. As he would say, he was practically raised by his father and siblings. Murlyn was never afraid of hard work. He was always willing to do what needed to be done - without complaint - even if he didn't want to do it. He learned the meaning of hard work at a very young age. Growing up, he even picked cotton in the hot, hot Texas summers. His modest and rural upbringing impacted him greatly. It influenced his hobbies, his skill set and even his heart. Murlyn had many jobs throughout his life. He worked at Dr. Pepper as a delivery man...and may have even chipped a few bottles on "accident" so he could have a drink :) He entered the United States Army shortly after high school. He served his country during the Korean War and exited service as a Corporeal and continued through the Army Reserves through 1961. He attended the Texas Institute of Technology and received an Electronics Engineering certification in October 1958. He was a farmer, a gardener, a carpenter....a jack of all trades, really! He could fix anything! Later in life, he worked at Air Treads and Good Year as a Quality Control Manager. He even owned his own mowing business in his eighties! He impacted so many lives while in the workforce, but one of his roles superseded them all - his role of caretaker for his wife, Addie. He took care of her each day. He was a true servant. A man of God that honored his marriage to Addie until the day she passed. He had several hobbies. He loved to fish, he loved to hunt, he loved to garden, he simply loved to be outside. He had a great love for the Dallas Cowboys - they were his team! He loved all sports really. He would always tell of his time on the football field and basketball court from his glory days in high school. He was an active member in his church and he was the loving, Godly leader of his home. He was a dedicated husband, father, brother, Papaw, and friend. As Addie's health deteriorated, he even became a baker. The family would always playfully "fight" over who would get the last bit of Papaw's famous banana pudding. Despite any circumstance, Murlyn was always willing to help and much to Addie's dismay, he was always willing to crack a joke. His gentle nature made everyone comfortable and his willingness to help anyone in need made him admirable. He was compassionate, humble and full of humor. You could always find him with a Dr. Pepper in hand and Little Debbie in a bowl of Blue Bell ice cream at the end of each day. Murlyn was one-of-a-kind. He will be greatly missed by his loving children, Yuvonne (Tuk) Doss, Shelly (Mark) McCabe, Lynne (Larry) Risner, and Thomas Ray Bates; twenty-one grandchildren, Kim Letier, Johnny Harris, Richard (Tracy) Shanks, Patricia Doss, Joanne Doss, Stephanie Doss, Stephen (Jennifer) Grimes, Shauna (Lee) Soto, John (Kristin) Grimes, Heather (Mike) Peterson, Melissa Chapman, Katie Hagerman, Jordan Chapman, Jeff (Sally) Risner, Jason (Brandy) Risner, Steve (Kelly) Bates, Joseph Bates, Joshua (Jennifer) Bates, Chip (Kitty) Reeves, Brandi Bates Mack, and Brent Bates; twenty-three great-grandchildren, John Grimes, Amberlee Soto, Colton Grimes, Jake Grimes, Alexander Soto, Gracie Grimes, Cash Grimes, Cade Grimes, Hadley Peterson, Sidney Shanks, Savannah Grimes and Emery Peterson, Maddie Lynne Risner, Hudson Risner, Holden Risner, Mariah Bates, Haley Bates, Braylon Bates, Baylor Bates, Jordan Bates, Alexis Bates, Harrison Reeves, and Kensey Reeves; and his sister, Joyce (Charles) Killian Ponder Blakley. He was preceded in death by: his wife of 54 years, Addie Killian; his son, Paul Bates; his daughter, Eugenia Diane Poteet; his father, Don Killian; his mother, Minnie Jewel Killian; and seven brothers and sisters.
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