Wally Murchison died June 2, 2013, at his home in Wilmington, N.C.
He prepared for Princeton at South Kent School. In college he majored in the School of Public and International Affairs. Senior year he roomed with Hank Mueller and Bob Specht ’44. He was on the Nassau Lit business board and a member of the Yacht Club.
Following graduation he entered the University of North Carolina Law School, but left in February 1943 to join the Navy as an ensign. Wally’s service was in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He was discharged in September 1945.
Returning to his legal studies, he earned his law degree at UNC in 1946 and then transferred to Harvard Law School to earn a master of laws in 1947. Wally was co-founder and longtime partner in the Wilmington law firm of Murchison, Fox & Newton, now known as Murchison, Taylor & Gibson. He served on the boards of numerous civic, community, and professional organizations — especially the Episcopal Church, which he served as vestryman of St. John’s Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina and its foundation.
Predeceased by his wife, Susan Courtney Shands Murchison, he is survived by his best friend, Maurine Elebash; his sons, Michael, Joseph ’73, and Robert; and his daughter, Susan Racine.