Final Salute

William Henry Murray, Jr, 78, of Virginia Beach, VA, passed away peacefully in his home with his devoted family by his side on August 25, 2025.

Bill was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, to William Henry Murray, Sr., and Cecelia Moriarty Murray. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, brother, Raymond Murray, and son, William H. Murray, III. Bill was a lover of animals of all kinds, and we know our beloved family pets that went before him were waiting for him when he was called home.

He attended Holyoke Trade School in Massachusetts before proudly joining the U.S. Navy as a SeaBee. Bill worked as a construction electrician in the SeaBees and was selected for a special unit sent to Antarctica for Operation Deep Freeze. Shortly after his time in Antarctica, Bill was deployed to Vietnam, being stationed at NSA Hospital Da Nang. Bill later worked as a tech rep for Litton Guidance and Control Systems, a quality director for Bauer Compressors, and later a quality assurance director for Colonna Shipyard, where he retired. Bill was a lifetime member of the VFW and DAV. He was an avid cruiser with his wife and many friends, having recently completed his bucket list, which included a full passage through the Panama Canal. This cruise marked Bill’s circumnavigation of the globe. While on cruises, Bill could be found in the piano bar, singing along with his wife and friends. He was known for his love of music, especially The Beach Boys.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife and best friend of over 42 years, Lee Ann Murray. He was a devoted father to David (Anna) Murray, Megan (Ryan) Roten, and Kelly Gressley. One of Bill’s proudest titles was that of “Grandpa” to Blake, Owen, Braden, Adeline, Emelyn, Bilito, and Bianca. Bill was the kind of father and grandfather that every child deserves.

Bill was a self-made man through his tireless work ethic and instilled those same ethics in his children. He was a do-er and exemplified the SeaBee “Can Do” motto in his everyday life. To know Bill was to love Bill, a big heart and a warm smile for all he met.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Rd, Chesapeake, on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM with Pastor Joe Varner officiating. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to view the service and to leave a condolence to the family.

In place of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to two organizations near and dear to Bill’s heart. Donations can be sent to the Old Dominion Honor Flight at https://olddominionhonorflight.org/ and also to the Virginia Beach SPCA at https://www.vbspca.com.
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