William J. Murray

William J. Murray, 73, of Madison passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison surrounded by his loving family.

Bill was born in Fond du Lac, Wis., on March 27, 1951, the first son of James E. and Jeanne C. (O’Neil) Murray. Joining the family were his brother Thomas and sister Margaret Ann Murray.

Bill attended Port Washington High School for two years and graduated from Grafton High School in 1969. He then attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for two years and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in marketing from Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz., in 1973.

During his long and successful career in purchasing, Bill was employed by Scot Pump in Cedarburg, Wis., Babcock & Wilcox in Milwaukee, Parker Pen Co. in Janesville and finally, in 1985 he went to Oscar Mayer and Co., where he retired as director of procurement in 2008.  

Bill was an avid golfer and a member of several bowling teams over the years. Summit Lake, Wis., where Bill’s family had a summer cottage, was Bill’s happy place. Playing golf with his dad and brother, swimming and boating and skiing on the lake and just enjoying the night sky and a cozy bonfire were activities Bill enjoyed and was eager to share with his own children and his five granddaughters.  

He was known to family and friends as the guy with the quick comeback. He was possessed of a sly and sarcastic wit and could take a joke as well as he could dish one out.

He was also known for his sweet tooth; there was not a hot fudge sundae nor a slice of chocolate cake that he was not willing to enjoy!

Bill married Tracy (Hoehn) Murray on Nov. 19, 1988, in Port Washington, Wis. She joined Bill and his two young daughters, and together Bill and Tracy had two sons and a daughter, making a blended, beautiful family of seven.

Bill’s children and grandchildren were the light of his life. He enjoyed watching his sons’ baseball, football and volleyball games and his daughters’ drama and musical pursuits. Nothing gave him more joy than pulling kids around the lake on tubes and skis or just cruising the lake, the wind in his hair. 

Bill and Tracy were also part of the community of faith at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Middleton.

Bill was preceded in death by his father James and his mother Jeanne, as well as his father-in-law Frank Hoehn and his mother-in-law Barbara Hoehn.  

He is survived by his wife Tracy; his children Kathryn (Kevin) Fry of  Auburn, Ill., Kelly (Jonathan) Galarneau of Farmington, Minn., Ryan (Megan) Murray of Nashville, Tenn., Kevin (Madeleine Gehred) Murray of Wauwatosa, Wis., and Susan Murray of Madison;  brother Tom (Lani) Murray of Belgium, Wis.; and sister Peggy Murray of Troy, Mich.

Bill is further survived by his brother-in-law Scott (Cindy) Hoehn of Charlotte, N.C.; five granddaughters, Leah, Charlotte and Allison Fry and Genevieve and Isabelle Galarneau; and nieces and nephews.

Bill’s family would like to thank the staff at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison for their care, patience and support during Bill’s final days.  

Cremation is provided by Cress Funeral Home.

A memorial ceremony was to be held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 7337 Hubbard Ave. in Middleton. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, www.apdaparkinson.org/community/wisconsin/ or the Vel Phillips Memorial High School Athletic Department. 

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave., Madison

(608) 238-8406