News and Progress
Undertaker takes to Mizzou
Jan. 25, 2007
Personalized plates hint at William T. Murray's occupation - undertaker. He and his wife, Sherry, established the William T. and Sherry L. McSpadden-Murray Endowment to help students afford an MU education. MU license plate sales underwrite scholarships. To get your own MU Tigers license plate, visit Mizzou.com/plates.
In 1993, Murray ordered MU license plates that are personalized to reflect his occupation - UNTKR. He is retired after 40 years as a funeral director in Joplin, Mo.
The Murrays decided to do more than show their loyalty with a license plate. They have provided a $50,000 life insurance policy that names MU as the beneficiary. Proceeds are to be split evenly between the Chancellor's Fund for Excellence and MU Libraries.
Money was tight when Murray graduated from Carthage High School in the 1950s. He attended junior college for two years, because of finances. His gift to the Chancellor's Fund will provide scholarships to help students afford to attend a four-year university.
"It doesn't take long after meeting William Murray to know he's a Mizzou fan," says James Preston, development director in the Office of Gift Planning. "The Murrays' generosity will create a legacy that will help the University and MU libraries for a very long time to come."
Sherry Murray was a children's librarian in Carthage, Mo., when the couple met. Their gift to MU Libraries honors her career. They are both life members of the MU Alumni Association.