Murray Wier passed away April 6, 2016 surrounded by his family and in the excellent care of the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Round Rock, Texas. Murray was born to James and Ruth Wier in Grandview, Iowa on December 12, 1926. He grew up shooting baskets in a makeshift basketball hoop with his brothers and moved to Muscatine, Iowa to play his senior year of high school basketball. As a stand out player he caught the attention of University of Iowa basketball coach "Pops" Harrison, who in 1944 offered him a full basketball scholarship. Murray became one of Iowa's all-time greatest basketball players, recently being recognized by the university's athletic department as a prestigious member of the Ring of Honor to be constructed in the new basketball arena. His remarkable accomplishments as a red-headed, exciting and unorthodox 5'9" guard include: Lettered all four years, consensus All American, Big Ten Most Valuable Player, First Team Big Ten, First Team All American, and Nation's Leading Scorer in 1948.

Upon graduating from Iowa Murray married his wife of 67 years, Marjorie Mae Smith, and was drafted by and played three years for the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, an early NBA team coached by Red Auerbach who went on to become the award-winning NBA coach and president of the Boston Celtics.

After his first son Terry was born in 1950 Murray accepted a position at East Waterloo High School in Waterloo, Iowa where he served as a teacher, athletic director, tennis coach and Iowa Hall-of-Famer basketball coach. Murray coached 26 all-state players in 24 years and led his 1974 team to the state championship. Following his retirement from East High, Murray and his wife Marge moved to Sun City in Georgetown, Texas to be near several of their children and grandchildren, and to enjoy warmer weather.

Outside of Murray's basketball career he was an avid tennis player who entertained his opponents and audiences with his antics on the court. He also enjoyed many ski trips to Colorado with his children well into his 70s. Murray touched many lives through his mentoring and loyal friendships. Former players, assistant coaches and students stayed in contact with Murray over many decades because of his special and unique sense of humor that never quit. Murray had a close and special relationship with each of his children and grandchildren. The family will carry on his memory through the unending funny stories of life with Dad and the numerous "Murrayisms" that will always remain in the Wier vernacular.

Murray was preceded in death by his parents James and Ruth Wier, brothers Keith Wier and Ermald Wier, and granddaughter Erin Wier. He is survived by his wife Marjorie, five children, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren: son Terry (Colleen) Wier and children Jack Wier and Jane Wier; daughter Sandy (Jim) Ferando and children Carrie (Nick) Hangte and Sam Ferando; daughter Marcia (Doug) Shields; son Jeff (Ernestina) Wier and children Abby (Joseph) Winston and granddaughters Lily, Marley and Evelyn, Haley Wier and Christopher Wier; and daughter Sally (Jon) Niess and children Anna Niess and Clayton Niess.

Services for Murray Wier will be held Saturday, April 30 at 3:00 p.m. at Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown, Texas. www.RamseyFuneral.com . The family requests donations be made to favorite charities in lieu of flowers. Please share your memories on Facebook at "Memories of Murray Wier.

You may share a message or memory in the online memorial guestbook at www.RamseyFuneral.com .