[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 162 (Monday, November 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF WILLIAM MURRAY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2016

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I 
rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding public servant, attorney, 
and friend, William Johnathan Murray, Jr. Sadly, William Murray passed 
away on Saturday, October 22, 2016. Funeral services were held on 
Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in 
Americus, Georgia.
  William Murray, Jr. was born on March 23, 1946 in Americus, Georgia. 
A lifelong follower of Christ, Bill was baptized at twelve years old at 
First Baptist Church of Americus. More recently, he worshipped at 
Calvary Episcopal Church of Americus, St. John's Anglican Church of 
Americus, and Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia.
  From a young age, Bill was eager to serve others. During his time at 
Americus High School, he was Student Council Vice President his junior 
year and Student Council President his senior year. In 1968, he 
graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree in 
history. He then attended the University of Georgia School of Law and 
graduated in 1971. During his time at UGA, he was a member of Blue Key, 
an honor society recognizing men and women of great character who have 
achieved distinction for service and leadership. He also was a member 
of the Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society and served in leadership 
positions for various student organizations. During law school, he was 
on the Moot Court Team and won the Best Oralist award in the 1970 Law 
Day Competition.
  In addition to his numerous contributions at UGA, he established New 
College Press while still in college. New College Press published three 
books, one of which was written by Bill himself and was entitled ``A 
Boy's Dream.'' Later on, more books by various authors were published 
by William Murray Publishers.
  Following the completion of his law degree, Bill returned home to 
Americus to begin his law career and his public service. He served on 
the Americus City Council from 1975-1977 and was elected as a state 
representative in the Georgia General Assembly from 1977-1981. During 
this time, he introduced legislation that promoted manufacturing in 
Sumter County, officially designated the Andersonville Trail, and 
provided funding for University of Georgia projects. Bill also served 
as City Attorney for Plains, Georgia.
  In 1980, he married the love of his life, Sandra Merritt Deal. They 
had two children, Brian and Summer. Bill and Sandra worked together in 
his law practice and served their clients all over the state of 
Georgia. They later founded the Sumter Free Press, a newspaper relaying 
news, editorials, and local history to the residents of Americus.
  George Washington Carver once said, ``No individual has any right to 
come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind distinct 
and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' We are all so 
blessed that William Murray passed this way and during his life's 
journey did so much for so many for so long. He leaves behind a great 
legacy in public service to the countless residents of Sumter County 
whose lives he touched and brightened. His impression on this earth 
extends beyond himself to the very wellbeing of Sumter County, and for 
it he will be remembered by the community for time to come.
  Mr. Murray is survived by his daughter, Jessica Summer Murray and two 
grandsons, Noah Johnathan Deal and William Brian Deal of Americus, as 
well as his sister, Gena Murray Moorhead, and many other cousins, 
nieces, and nephews.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian, and me, 
along with the more than 730,000 people of Georgia's Second 
Congressional District, in honoring William Murray, Jr. for his 
dedicated service to the people of Sumter County and the state of 
Georgia. We extend our deepest sympathies to William Murray's family, 
friends and loved ones during this difficult time and pray that they 
will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit 
in the days, weeks and months ahead.

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