Joseph "Murray" Young was born to Jesse and Denzil Young on the family farm in Cave Spring,

Missouri. The youngest of three siblings, Murray grew up learning the value of hard work, family,

faith and perseverance. As a young man, he attended Willard High School, where he enjoyed

playing on the basketball team until he graduated in 1946.

A few years later, a chance encounter at Doling Park skating rink brought him together with the

woman who would become his wife of nearly 77 years. In January of 1950, he married Rosalyn

Jones and together they raised six children; three boys and three girls. Karen and husband

Steve Naegler, Steve and wife Sandy Young, Greg and wife Donna Young, Patricia and husband

Bud Sheaks, Missy and husband Rob Wheeler and Tom Young, who preceded him in death

in 2019. This core family group grew and expanded to include not only multiple blood relatives

but also chosen family as well. He was lovingly known as Grandpa Murray or Uncle Murray

to many.

Murray spent his life on the family Century Farm, donning his hat and overalls as he tended

the land and livestock. He farmed throughout his life, but also ran a house painting business on

the side. For a time, he drove the school bus, a job that provided him with plenty of stories to

share over the years. He was a skilled and determined handyman who could turn his hand to

just about anything mechanical, electrical or plumbing related. He was never one to shy away

from hard work and always willing to lend his skills to those who needed them.

Murray had a servant's heart and was always helping someone in need: fixing something before

you knew it needed fixing, visiting a sick friend or dropping by with some vegetables from the

garden. He was a well known and respected pillar in the community. Murray never met a stranger

and he never hesitated to share God's word with anyone. He actively attended the Methodist

Church for over 70 years, where he was known to quote Bible verses and share stories that

offered wisdom and guidance. He recorded some of these stories and appeared on label of the

church's famous apple butter. He was also a proud member of the Willard Masonic Lodge for

73 years. But Cave Spring Memorial Church was especially near and dear to his heart, as it was

his boyhood church and held so many family memories there.

Murray was a kid at heart and always enjoyed a good laugh, spending time outdoors with his

grandchildren, attending a local basketball game with friends and a competitve game

of dominoes by the fire. He also went through a creative artist era where he painted murals

and livestock portraits on local barns.

His travels included places like Germany, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Boston,

Washington DC, Niagara Falls and Hilton Head South Carolina, to name a few, but he was

was especially fond of his time spent at Red Bird Mission in Kentucky. Wherever he went, you

can bet that he touched someone's life, and fixed something.

Murray was a Godly man, humble and kind. He was a role model and inspiration to many. The

world is a better place, having had Murray in it. He will be greatly missed.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life ceremony at Renew Methodist Church

304 Farmer Road in Willard. Saturday, October 31 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Cave Spring Memorial Church.

Donations will be collected at the memorial or you may mail to:

210 Sparrow Lane Willard MO 65781