[1] After the breakup of Miller's band in 1942, Purtill played with Kay Kyser until 1944, then joined the U.S. Navy.
After his discharge, he played briefly in 1946 with the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra directed by Tex Beneke.
He participated in a few Miller reunions, although he did not like to discuss his time in the band.
He was good friends with Buddy Rich, Trigger Alpert and saxophonist Jack Palmer.
Purtill lived in New York City until the early 1970s when he moved to Sarasota, Florida.