Lt. Col Wesley Duane Murtishaw, 82, of Fayetteville died Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. He was born Sept. 19, 1931 in Abbott, AR. to WD and Meryle Little Murtishaw. Wes spent his early years in Jacksonville, AR. and Bossier City, LA. and moved with his parents to La Porte, TX. in 1943, where he graduated from high school in 1948.
Wes served in the Strategic Air Command of the US Air Force from 1953 to 1973, and was an active member of the Arkansas retired military community. Upon retirement, he attended the University of Arkansas graduating with a master’s degree in 1976. Wes joined Scarborough, Bassett & Lance Accounting firm in 1975 and became partner in 1979, establishing Scarborough and Murtishaw CPAs. In 2006 the firm merged with William P Cook & Associates and Wes remained with them as a licensed CPA until his death.
Wes was very active in his profession and the community. He was past president of the Arkansas Society of CPAs; a member of the Lions Club for 40 years and president for one year and past Chairman of the Finance Committee and member of the Administrative Board for the Central United Methodist Church. He served on the first board of Butterfield Trail Village, was Chairman of the Board for nine years, and was named Director Emeritus upon his retirement from the Board. Wes was also an avid Razorback sports fan, and loved golf and his Monday night poker game.
Wes is predeceased by his wife of 39 years, Patricia Ann Carr; his parents and his brother John Michael Murtishaw. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Porterfield Murtishaw; children, Jessica Anderson and husband Dudley, of Dickinson, TX., Wayne Wilson and wife Joanne of Phoenix, AZ., Duane Rice Murtishaw of Houston TX., Cheryl McNeil and husband Norman of Fayetteville; sister, Jane Murtishaw and husband Howard Lindsey of Dickinson, TX.; grandchildren, Brian Anderson, James Anderson, Duane Rice Murtishaw, Jr. and Teresa Lemon; step-children, Troy Meyers, Stefani Buhajla and husband Joey; step-grandchildren, Anna and Hallie Buhajla and Ethan Pursley .
A service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 18, 2014 at the Fayetteville National Cemetery under the direction of Beard’s Funeral Chapel. Private interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Chapel.
Contributions may be made to Washington Regional Hospice.
Dear Murtishaw Family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy
Dear Murtisha Family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy on the passing of Wes. He was a dear friend and wonderfully caring man.
Sincerely,
Reg and Dianne Lindholm
Dear Murtishaw Family,
I had the privilege of working with Mr. Murtishaw on the Board of Director’s of Butterfield Trail Village. He was a remarkable man and so very kind!
Please accept my deepest sympathy!
Prayers & Peace!
Chris Hale
Executive Assistant
Butterfield Trail Village
Dear Family,
I had a professional relationship with Wes for over 30 years. I will miss him. He did a lot for the profession and we all prospered under his leadership.
Sincerely,
Tamara Gilmour
Sorry to hear of Wes’ passing. I had the pleasure working for him for several years at Scarbrough and Murtishaw; and I will never forget how he always had a smile on his face. Wes was a great life example and a great teacher in helping me learn more about accounting. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
We are living in the home that Wes owned for 19 years. I saw him at various CPA meetings during the past year and we always visited some about the house and the unique things he did with the home property. To his family, please accept our condolence regarding your loss.
Beth & I were sorry to hear of Wes’s passing.
He will be missed.
I must let all of you, Wes’s family, know how saddened I am by Wes’s death. He was a true friend to me during my years as senior pastor of Central Church, and Cheryl was my faithful and efficient secretary. I will always remember the meal in their home, my visits with Wes, and his outstanding lleadership as the Chairman of the Administrative Board, the last year I was at the Church. In my 42 years pastoring United Methodist Churches, I never had a better Board Chair.
My last visit with him was by phone at the time of Patricia’s death. I will continue to think of you, his family. every time I have a memory of Wes. Ben Jordan, United Methodist Minister, Retired.
Good bye my friend.