Murray Edwin Woods

Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather, Murray Edwin Woods passed away on July 29, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona. A native Arizonan, Murray was born in Mesa on August 17, 1926, to Vilate Harper and George Tennyson Woods. He had six siblings, George, James, Winifred, Kenneth, Dorothy, and Gordon. All of whom have preceded him in death except Gordon.

Murray attended elementary and secondary school in Tucson, Arizona where the family resided. They returned to Mesa just prior to Murray’s freshman high school year where he attended Mesa High School. He loved attending Mesa High, where he played the saxophone in the school band. He also met the love of his life, Rosalie Nichols during his high school years.

Murray’s high school education was cut short by the outbreak of World War II. He was drafted into the United States Navy in 1944 and left school to serve his country, which he did with honor. Murray’s mother Vilate attended his high school commencement ceremony in May of 1945 and received his graduation diploma from Mesa Superintendent of Schools, Harvey Taylor, on his behalf.

Murray qualified and received training for a Naval signalman. He was training as a signalman when he contracted Rheumatic Fever. He then spent nine months in the Naval Hospital in Dublin, Georgia. When he was finally released, he was deployed on the USS Price for service in the Pacific, but the ship was called back when the Japanese surrendered, and he was soon discharged from military service.

Murray and Rosalie were married June 6, 1947, in the Arizona Temple and spent many happy years together. They raised six children, James Murray, Fred Edwin, Elaine, Steven Lee, Nancy, and Leslie. They enjoyed many wonderful times skiing at Canyon Lake, Lake Powell, San Carlos, Mexico, and the snowy slopes of Purgatory, Colorado. They served in the Mesa Arizona Temple as Ordinance Workers, and, also served as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the New York, Rochester Mission and Wisconsin, Milwaukee Mission. They loved serving the Lord together.

Murray enjoyed building, and his dream was to have his own construction company. He made that dream a reality and he found his niche building gas stations.

After Rosalie passed away in 2014, Murray married Ann Washburn Nichols, who has lovingly cared for him over the past ten years.

Murray lived a balanced life sustained by hard work and hard play. He lived true and faithful to his Father-in-Heaven and his eternal companion, Rosalie.

Murray is survived by his wife Ann, his six children, James Murray (Peggy), Fred Edwin (Debra), Elaine (Ed), Nancy (Matt), Steve (Janet), and Leslie (Darren, deceased and grandson Brendan deceased). Also, by his 26 grandchildren, 77 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.

A memorial service for Murray E. Woods will be held on August 8, 2024, at the Menlo Park Ward, 2618 N. Lindsay Road, Mesa, Arizona 85213 at 10:00 a.m. with family visitation from 8:30-9:30 at the building. Interment will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Service will be broadcast live; Murray Woods’ Funeral: https://youtube.com/@mesaazhermosavistastake3575?si=Zn8UHHUEWpyV-Hv_

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.