William R Murdoch

William “Bill” Richard Murdoch, who was quite a guy, passed away on December 24, 2016. Bill was born October 19, 1931 to David Lennox Murdoch and Ora Maurine Clark in Salt Lake City. As a boy, he moved with his family from Harvard Avenue in Salt Lake to the relative wilderness of Cottonwood. There, Bill grew up working on the family farm, riding horses, developing a lifelong passion for the outdoors, and, on occasion, shooting magpies. He spent the next 80 years living on the beautiful, tree-lined lane where his parents made a home for their family and where he made one for his.

He graduated from Granite High in 1950. Later, he was called to serve an LDS mission in New England but, before he left, the Korean War erupted and he proudly served his country instead. In 2015, he was awarded the Ambassador of Peace Medal for his service. After returning from Korea, he married his sweetheart, Arthel Wilkins, in the Salt Lake Temple on June 11, 1953, and for the next 63 years, they enjoyed countless adventures together.

In 1957, Bill graduated from the University of Utah, where he studied Broadcasting and Business Administration in addition to playing clarinet in the school marching band. Recognizing the potential of TV and radio, he expanded on his father’s pioneering work at KSL. Over his 44 years there, he worked numerous jobs, starting as a janitor and working his way up to Executive Vice President and General Manager of KSL Television and Radio. He loved, and was committed to promoting excellence in, the world of broadcast radio and television. During his time at KSL, Bill developed the station’s tradition of client trips, which took he and Arthel to over 35 countries. For his work, Bill was inducted into the Utah Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2012. His desire to excel was also felt across the country as he served as a leader for many years on the CBS affiliates’ advisory board.

Bill was an active member of his community. He served as President of the Sales and Marketing Executives of Utah, Chairman of the American Cancer Society, member of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, member of the Salt Lake Ad Club, Chairman of the Great Salt Lake Council of Boy Scouts of America, and board member of the American Red Cross.

He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings, including Bishop of the Cottonwood 5th Ward and as a temple worker.

Bill enjoyed reading, sports, and hamburgers. More than anything, though, he loved to spend time with his friends and family, especially if that time took place in a fishing boat or the dune buggy at “The Hearthstone,” his Summit County cabin. He built the cabin when his children were young, and it will continue to be a gathering place for generations.

He is survived by four children, Deborah Winegar (Drew), Alison King (Brian), Rosemary Thomas (Jeff), and Matt Murdoch (Laura), 16 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 30, 2016 at 10:30 am at the Cottonwood 5th Ward LDS Chapel (5913 South Highland Drive). Viewings will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2016 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary (3401 South Highland Drive) and on Friday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am prior to the funeral service. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Salt Lake City.