Wilbur Murray Borders

Wilbur Murray Borders, 89, of Center, Texas, passed away on May 5, 2024, in Center, Texas.  He was born on July 16, 1934, in Milledgeville, Georgia, to the late Jack Borders and Pearl (Lingold) Borders. 

Funeral service will be held at 11AM on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Mangum Funeral Home, with Bro. Porter Brewer officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park.

Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10AM on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Mangum Funeral Home.

The Jack Borders family moved from Georgia to Bordersville, Texas, north of Houston on February 8, 1938, and later permanently settled nearby in Humble, Texas, where Murray spent most of his early years. Murray joined First Baptist Church, Humble, Texas, as a teenager and as most Baptists, he was “once a Baptist always a Baptist”. He married Dorris Denise Serres, and they had two children, a son, Jeffrey Wayne Borders and a daughter, Karen Lynette Borders.

In the mid 50’s, Murray started his 6-year obligation to the United States Army, spending 2 years active duty with basic training at Ft. Carson, Colorado, and the remaining active duty at the former Presidio US Army post, at the northern tip of the San Fransisco peninsula, the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. His remaining years were served in the Reserves. He served his entire active service as a The Company Clerk because he was the only one in the company who raised his hand when the company was asked, “Can anyone use a typewriter?” This turned out to be a very serious experience for Murray, as the responsibility of clerical detail required extreme accuracy. This was during the onset of the “ballistic missile” era. “Top Clearance” and “Secrecy” were Standard Operating Procedures. Murray worked well under the stress and rigid requirements; he greatly loved his country and immensely enjoyed his time in the United States Military. He liked driving top level commanders, including generals, to various locations and meetings and was fascinated by their brain power and their personalities.

Murray then returned to civilian life in the Houston area and worked for Baker Oil Tools for over 25 years, first domestically, then residing and working internationally, in Venezuela, Indonesia, and Australia.  Murray and Quincy were married in 1965 and the two have spent over 58 years together. They traveled extensively during their time together, while Murray was working on various jobs. After retirement, they moved back to the states and went to work for the Jaffa Company in Waxahachie for his brother-in-law, Sam Jaffa and his sister, Geneva, in their crystal and glass etching business. Later he and Quincy settled in Center, Texas, where Quincy’s mother was, and he worked many years at Walmart just for fun.

He is survived by his spouse,

Quincy Borders, Center, Texas

Son,

Jeffrey Wayne Borders, Groveton, Texas

Daughter,

Karen (Borders) Washington and husband, Robert Washington, Yoakum, Texas

Sister,

Geneva (Borders) Jaffa, Red Oak, Texas

Brother,

Carl Thomas Borders, Mountainair, New Mexico

Grandchildren,

Courtney Washington, Texas

Brittany Washington, Texas

Carson Everett Washington, Louisiana

Pseudo Grandchildren, Taylor, and twins, Ray and Ethan Blankenstein, Wyoming

Great Grandchildren,

Everett Paul Washington, Louisiana

Declan Henry Washington, Louisiana

Sloane Nicole Washington, Louisiana

Elijah Anthony De La Rosa, Texas

Nephew,

Rick Jaffa, Pacific Palisades, California

Niece,

Jennifer Borders, New Jersey

Murray is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Pearl Borders; brother, Jack Matthew Borders; nephews, Gary Jaffa and Kevin Borders.