William Johnathan Murray, Jr.

William Johnathan Murray, Jr., of Americus passed away unexpectedly at noon on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at his home on South Lee Street. Services are planned for Sunday, October 30, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Americus, with interment to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. Mr. Murray will lie in state at First Baptist Church beginning at 2:00 p.m. The Reverend James Davis of Waycross, Georgia and Father Jeff Wallace of Calvary Episcopal Church, Americus will officiate. The Reverend Davis is a lifelong friend of Bill. The family will be receiving guests at his home on Saturday October 29, 325 South Lee Street. Mr. Murray was born March 23, 1946, in Americus, Georgia. He was the son of the late William Jonathan Murray and the late Thelma Murr Murray. His father was a Sumter County farmer and his mother was an instructor at the Americus School of Cosmetology. Bill’s maternal grandparents are the late Salem Murr and the late Rogena Saliba Murr who were both natives of B’tghreen Lebanon. The immediate family ancestry in this region is established generation to generation in old books and records to 400 B.C. His paternal grandparents are the late Matthew Munn Murray Sr., and Kate Belle James Murray of Sumter County. This line descends from Nathan Murray who fought for our country's independence in the American Revolution. Bill had been a member of the First Baptist Church since birth where he had 12 years of perfect attendance. He was baptized at the age of twelve. During his teenage years he served as the youth minister during youth week and he won state in the sword drill competition. Most recently in 2010, he was confirmed into the Calvary Episcopal Church of Americus and often attended Sunday school classes at St Johns Anglican Church of Americus. He frequently attended Maranatha Baptist Church of Plains, Georgia where he felt comfort and compassion during difficult times. He graduated from Americus High School in 1964 where he was Student Council Vice President and President his junior and senior year respectively. Bill received his Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in history from the University of Georgia, in 1968 during which time he was listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, and he was a member of Blue Key; Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society and Biftad. He was president of the Freshman Class, Campus Leader of Independent Men, President of Pyramid Honor Society, Vice President of the Pre Law Club, a member of the Student Senate and the Governor’s Council on Youth Executive Committee under Governor Carl Sander’s administration. Mr. Murray received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Georgia Joseph Henry Lumpkin School of Law in 1971. While in law school he was on the Moot Court Team; awarded best oralist of the 1970 Law Day Competition; he served on the Moot Court Board and the Legal Aid and Defender Society. While in college he established New College Press and published three books under that label, “A Boy’s Dream” William J Murray; “A Green Existence in a Pink World” Jim Hartz and “Ye Olde Bluebird” Marion Montgomery. Later books were published under the publishing company William Murray Publishers. Those books included “Bezich” Peter D. Zivkovic; “Scotts Lady of the Lake” A. E. Cornetti; “German You Don’t Hear in the Classroom” Lindsey Rodgers and “And it Came to Pass” translated from the German by Hugh Hogdson. Mr. Murray returned home in 1972 to begin his law career. Mr. Murray was elected to the Americus City Council in 1974 and served from 1975-1977. The city firemen had fond memories of watching him sell peanuts from a basket as a young boy and delighted in watching him become a member of the Americus City Council as a young man. Mr. Murray served as State Representative in the Georgia General Assembly from 1977-1981. Many considered him to be a true southern statesman. He introduced the bill officially designating the Andersonville Trail. As a freshmen legislator, Mr. Murray introduced and was responsible for passing legislation to permit extra wide mobile homes on Georgia roads to promote the mobile home manufacturing industry in Sumter County. He was successful in acquiring funding for the University System of Georgia Projects and he was instrumental in establishing Georgia’s tourism divisions inclusive of the Presidential Pathways with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. He met the love of his life and in 1980 married Sandra Merritt Deal. Since 1981, they worked together in Bill’s law practice. The two of them were present together in court rooms from Atlanta to very rural Georgia counties. While conducting jury trials of both civil and criminal cases, often achieving highly significant relief on behalf of their clients. He most enjoyed his time as being the City Attorney for Plains, Georgia. His beloved Sandra passed away on January 18, 2014. Together Bill and Sandra turned toward home to cultivate their fireside. Most important to them was for Brian and Summer to learn of the values that their parents embraced. They founded the Sumter Free Press and along with their children their goal was to speak to the hearts of the community about philosophy and to provide local history as well as editorials of substance. In 1982, the family began a regular celebration of the New Year with close friends of the family and later opened their doors to the community limited in number only by the capacity their home could accommodate. Mr. Murray chronicled his travels to Lebanon exploring his heritage in the Sumter Free Press. The old country brought to him a wholeness completing the broken chain that he had felt for a lifetime. Meeting his family and bringing them to America to connect with their missing relatives was a life time achievement for him. “Let the grain abound throughout the land; On the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; Let it thrive like the grass of the field. May his name endure forever; May it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, And they will call him blessed.” Psalm 72:16-17 Bill took great pleasure in being a father and mentor to Brian and Summer as he watched them grow and mature. He delighted in bringing joy to children at Christmas by appearing as Santa Claus. His love for books is evident throughout his home and he was humble to serve as President for the Regional Library Board. A pipe, a kitten and his grandson Noah nearby brought to him his most joyful moments. Bill is survived by his daughter, Jessica Summer Murray of Americus and two grandsons, Noah Johnathan Deal age 9 of Americus and William Brian Deal age 5 of Perry, his sister Gena Murray Moorhead of Albany, Ga and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Hancock Funeral Home, 427 South Lee Street Americus Ga 31709, is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Mr. William Johnathan Murray, Jr.