Teen drowns in farm pond
A 19 year old Murrayville man drowned Sunday afternoon while swimming with a friend in a rural Woodson farm pond.
William "Billy" Gum Courier of R.R. 2, Murrayville, was pronounced dead at _:37 p.m. in the emergency room at Passavant Area Hospital.
According to Morgan County Deputy Coroner Dave McCollum, Mr. Courier and a friend, James Fanning, went swimming about 4 p.m. in the pond off the Woodson-Franklin blacktop and swam out to a boat dock about 25 feet from the shore.
Mr. Fanning swam back to the shore to rest and Mr. Courier was attempting to swim back to join him when he began yelling for help, Mr. McCollum said. Mr. Fanning attempted to rescue his friend but was exhausted and not strong enough. He saw Mr. Courier slip under the water and fail to resurface.
Mr. Fanning them went to his house about a quarter of a mile away and called for help.
Billy Courier, 19, of Murrayville dies
William "Billy" Gum Courier, 19, of rural Murrayville died Sunday evening, July 21, 1991, at Passavant Hospital.
He was born Sept. 27, 1971, in Springfield, the son of Thomas and Judith Large Courier.
He is survived by his parents; three brothers, Scott Meyer and Luke Meyer, both of Franklin, and Richard Courier of Murrayville; four sisters, Mrs. Jack (Theresa) Stewart of Franklin, Mrs. Frank (Holly) Muffick of Gillespie, Mrs. Stacy (Heidi) Holder of Franklin and Thomasina Courier of Murrayville; his maternal and paternal grandparents; 12 nieces and nephews; and one special friend, Tina Bradley. He was preceded in death by one brother, Carl Meyer.
Mr. Courier was a laborer having worked recently for Walter Lane Construction. He had attended Franklin schools.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mackey Daws Funeral Home in Murrayville with burial at Youngblood Cemetery in Nortonville. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday.