PGA Tour player Billy Hurley III's father dies of self-inflicted gunshot wound

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Willard Hurley, 61, has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, family said
Shock death comes after Hurley went missing for 12 days last month
At the time son Billy Hurley III made a tearful appeal for his father to return
Hurley Sr. was found in a Texas public library before returning home
Cops say body was found yesterday 12 miles north of Hurley's house
Officers say they are investigating the death as an apparent suicide

By Chris Pleasance For Dailymail.com and Associated Press

Published: 12:51 EST, 13 August 2015 | Updated: 16:24 EST, 13 August 2015

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The father of PGA Tour player Billy Hurley III who went missing for 12 days last month has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, his family have said.

Willard Hurley, 61, passed away yesterday in an apparent suicide, two weeks after being found in a Texas public library watching his son playing golf on a computer.

After being discovered Hurley Sr traveled home to his family in Virginia, were his body was discovered yesterday, police said.

His son, who used a PGA press conference to tearfully plead for his father to come home, announced the death in a statement from his management company today.

The father of PGA Tour player Billy Hurley III, 61-year-old Willard Hurley (pictured) who was missing for 12 days last month, has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound near his family home in Virginia

Hurley Sr. was found two weeks ago after his son used a tearful press conference to appeal for his return. He was discovered in a Texas public library watching his son play golf on a computer

A statement from Reston Bible Church in Reston, Virginia, also confirmed Hurley's death.

Billy Hurley announced just over two weeks ago during a golf tournament that his father was missing, breaking down in front of news cameras as he pleaded for his dad to come home.

The elder Hurley had last been seen driving away from home on July 19, and his son pleaded in a tearful press conference for help finding his dad.

Willard was found at a public library in Texarkana, Texas, watching his son play golf on a computer, on July 31. He told police only that he had been traveling and he returned home to Virginia.

Billy Hurley is now with his family in Leesburg, Virginia.

His father and mother had been married for more than 30 years, and still lived in the Leesburg house Hurley Jr had grown up in.

Police in Virginia said a body was discovered on Wednesday morning 12 miles north of the Hurley family home, and the death is being investigated as an apparent suicide

In a statement, Billy Hurley said he will be taking a break from golf while he comes to terms with what has happened, and will be offering more information in due course

'I want to thank the PGA Tour, the greater golf media, and all those who provided their support, prayers and encouragement,' Hurley said in the statement.

'As soon as I am able, I will return to golf and will provide further comment.'

According to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, the body of a man was discovered Wednesday morning near Lovettsville, about 12 miles north of the Hurley family home.

The sheriff's office did not identify Hurley but said the death was under investigation as an apparent suicide.

Willard Hurley had served in the local police force for 25 years before retiring, and had even helped to provide security for one of the courses where his son now competes.

He also worked at the Reston Bible Church for 30 years, and had no history of mental illness, his family said.

A Naval Academy graduate, Billy Hurley served as a Naval officer for five years before earning his PGA Tour card. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland. He didn't qualify for this week's PGA Championship.

Hurley played the first two rounds of the Quicken Loans National and made the cut before he learned that his father had been found unharmed.

He went on to play in last week's Barracuda Championship.

'Our thoughts and prayers go out to Billy and his loved ones during this very difficult time,' PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said in a statement.