William Murray

William Murray Obituary

Dr. William N. Murray, longtime Portland physician, died peacefully Friday, October 17, 2014, at the age of 93. His passing came at his assisted living residence in Beaverton and followed several years of declining health.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine; children, Bill (Carol), Suzanne Hatton (Robert), Jane Murray and Paul (Sara); grandchildren, Stephanie (Hatton) Cunningham (Adam) and Patrick, Megan and Peter Murray; great-grand- children, Caden and Kyle Cunningham; and sister, Joan Hartman of Toledo, Ohio.

Born August 7, 1921, in Cleveland, Bill Murray married Ellen Wilmot of Cleveland in 1944. They began their married life together at the University of Wisconsin, where he received his initial medical training. He completed studies for his M.D. degree at the University of Illinois Medical School in Chicago. An early assignment in Portland led him, Ellen and their two young children to make their home here in 1948.

His early career was marked by a tour of duty with the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a radiologist in several military hospitals. He and his family were stationed for three years in Japan, where his last child was born, and he accumulated the memories, mementos and many photographic slides of the Far East that he treasured throughout his life.

Returning to Portland in 1960, he joined a medical group that provided radiological services to Providence Portland Medical Center. Until his retirement in 1986, he worked as a dedicated and compassionate physician, serving as chairman of the department of radiology from 1980 to 1986. During his career, he was elected president of both the Oregon Radiological Society and Oregon Catholic Physicians Guild.

The love of music was a constant theme in Bill Murray’s life. From his early music training at a conservatory in Cleveland, through his “jobs” as a string bassist and vocalist in a big band during his college years, to his membership in many church choirs, he always found a way to make music and to make friends. He was a longtime supporter of the Oregon Symphony and founding member of the Providence Hospital Stage Band, a big band made up of doctors and their friends who played for charity. He selflessly gave of his time and talent for many years to bring the joy of music to the less fortunate.

A lifelong Catholic, he attended St. Thomas More, St. John Fisher, and in his later years, St. Cyril parishes in Portland. He was a volunteer and leader in many church activities and projects. When St. Thomas More needed to replace the old electric organ, he was a prime mover in acquiring an antique pipe organ to replace it, and took great satisfaction in seeing that the new instrument was rebuilt and restored to its original beauty. His example of faith and service to the Catholic Church will remain a living legacy to his children.

A new phase opened in 1987 when Bill, then a widower, met Elaine O’Brien of Portland, a widow who shared his love of music. They married and built a new home at Charbonneau in Wilsonville, and there they spent happy years attending musical events, traveling widely and entertaining their extended families and many friends.

A Latin funeral Mass will be offered at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 30, 2014, at St. John Fisher Church, 7007 S.W. 46th Avenue, Portland. All are invited. “The Requiem” by Gabriel Faure will be sung by Portland’s Cantores in Ecclesia liturgical choir, with a reception to follow.

A private burial will take place Friday, October 31, 2014, in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully suggests contributions to Cantores in Ecclesia, P.O. Box 2783, Portland, OR 97208-2783, www.cantoresinecclesia.org.

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One reply on “William Murray”

We are so sorry to hear about your loss. May the God of all comfort, continue to be with you and your family during this difficult time. We all look forward to a time, when death will be no more-Rev 21:4. Our prayers are with you.