Sgt. Murray was born July 9, 1981, in Salina. He was supporting Operation Iraq Freedom in the war on terrorism for the United States of America. He was assigned to the famed and elite 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Patrick.

Survivors include his wife, Maricel, of the home; his father, Kenneth Murray of Simpson; his mother, W. Ann Meuli of Salina; and two sisters, Kelly Caballero of Ithaca, NY, and Erin MacKenzie of Charleston, Ind.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at First Southern Baptist Church, Salina with Rev. Glenn Davis and Rev. Harry Tysen officiating. Private inurnment will be at a later date. Military rites will be provided by Ft. Riley at the church.

Memorials may be made to the Sgt. Joel Lee Murray Scholarship Fund or the Sgt. Joel Lee Murray Memorial Fund at the church.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina. The family will receive friends during the visitation hours.