Bill Murdaugh, age 88, of McAlester, passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at his home.

Bill was born August 21, 1935 to Wilson Samuel "Nabe" Murdaugh and Eva Duff Murdaugh. He was their third child joining Carrie Lou and Bud, and later Ben completed the family. They were raised on horses and working cattle, the boys earned a reputation as being pretty good cowboys, so they broke horses and worked cattle for people. Bill loved being a cowboy, it's who he was.  He graduated Canadian High School in 1954.  He then received his Associate Degree in Science in 1956 from EOSC in Wilburton, Oklahoma.  He married Velba Treece on June 29, 1957.  They had four children, Tammy, Rocky, Dana and Dusty.  He was a loving father who was always involved with his children. He was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He served six months of active duty with the US Army Reserves.  He was retired from the Oklahoma Department of Tourism at Arrowhead Park and worked at the McAlester Stockyard.  He was always involved in ranching and raising good horses and cattle.  He was the quintessential cowboy, living the cowboy life to the fullest.  He was a cowboy poet whose poetry could tug at your heart or make you belly laugh.  He loved to read western books and his scriptures.  He was a lifelong resident of Pittsburg County.

Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Velba, of the home; children, Tammy (Don) Gibbs of McAlester, OK, Rocky (Terri) Murdaugh of Indianola, OK, Dana (Jason) Dugan of Talihina, OK, and Dusty (Twylah) Murdaugh of Indianola, OK; grandchildren, Cade (Amanda) Gibbs, Kaycee Gibbs, Rocky Murdaugh Jr., Draysen Murdaugh, Dane (Katie) Burnett, William Lykins, Christian Mathis, Ray Mathis, Kylah (Ian) Lyons, Phillip Joyce, Austin Dugan, Eden Hyden, Elton Hyden, Ethan Hyden and Eli Harris; great-grandchildren, Bladen Murdaugh, Rhett Burnett, Marlee Gibbs, Marlo Gibbs, and Bru Murdaugh; sister, Carrie Lou Hughes; brother, Ben (Paula) Murdaugh; sister-in-law, Margaret Murdaugh; brother-in-law, Simeon Duran; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Bud Murdaugh; and brother-in-law, Hoyt Hughes.

Family will receive friends on Monday from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Brumley-Mills Funeral Home in McAlester.  Services will be 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at Brumley-Mills Funeral Home Chapel in McAlester.  Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.