William Murray Ethridge

William Murray Ethridge, 90, passed away peacefully the morning of November 7, 2020, at his home in New Bern, NC, surrounded by family. Born in Collinsville, Mississippi, on November 19, 1929, he was the son of William and Sally Ethridge and the brother to ten brothers and sisters.

He spent the first part of his life working at his family’s farm in Mississippi. In June 1948, he joined the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in May 1950. On February 18, 1954, he married Marie Parker. In October 1967, he re-joined the United States Navy as a Chaplain and served his country for over 27 years. During his time in the U.S. Navy, he traveled all over the world. He was also part of commissioning the U.S.S. Shenandoah AD 44 as an officer. Additionally, he awarded the National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He retired on November 30 ^th , 1991, at Cherry Point Marine Corps Base as a Commander in the U.S. Navy.

After his retirement, he was called to work as a pastor at his beloved church, Oriental First Baptist Church in Oriental, NC. He spent over 13 years serving as a pastor and loving on his congregation, before retiring as Pastor Emeritus and spending his time to care for wife, Marie Ethridge, and his family. Even after retiring, he would frequently make Sunday trips to visit Oriental First Baptist Church and continue to serve his congregation.

Above all, he cherished his family and loved to spend as much time with them. His family would describe him as one of the best men they’ve ever known who loved his family and friends well, loved to fish, loved to read, and loved to have a good time.  His daughter-in-law Jeanine would describe him being the best father-in-law a daughter could ask for. His granddaughters, Hannah and Rebekah, recall him taking them on fishing trips, driving them to Burger King for breakfast cinnamon rolls and a drive through Lawson’s Creek Park before taking them to school, giving them Diet Cokes after taking them on the riding lawn mower with him, asking them to pick him up the biggest chocolate milkshakes, singing any song they would play in the car with him, always wanting to play John Smith to Rebekah’s Pocahontas, always telling the best jokes, and bragging on their cooking and baking skills by eating any and everything they made as they got older.

Most of all, Murray was known as the anchor in the family—he was the one who said the blessing before every meal that was had together as a family and who continued to do all he could to provide for his family even into his later years. He was quiet and reserved but loved to have as much fun and as many laughs as possible, and could always tell the best stories and the best jokes. He was a greatly beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, and friend and will be so greatly missed.

He survived by his son David and wife Jeanine Ethridge, granddaughters Hannah and Rebekah Ethridge. He also survived by his son Mark and wife Pat Ethridge, and grandchildren Stephanie and Michael Ethridge.

Services are planned for Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Oriental First Baptist Church in Oriental, NC, with a visitation at 1:00 p.m., before the service.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, as those who know him well know that Alzheimer’s disease had greatly impacted his life, Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern NC Chapter, 5171 Glenwood Ave Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27612 or to Oriental First Baptist Church, PO Box 313, Oriental, NC 28571 in his honor.