William Joseph Murray

08/27/1953 - 03/10/2024

William Joseph Murray passed away from cancer on March 10, 2024 at his home in San Leandro with his family at his side. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and FUB, “favorite Uncle Bill”.

Bill was born in San Jose, CA on August 27, 1953, the third of twelve children, to John and Mary Grace Murray. He attended St. Francis Cabrini, Archbishop Mitty High School (1971), San Jose State University (B.S. in Business Administration), and University of Santa Clara Law School, graduating in the top 10% of his class in 1979. He practiced law for 44 years in the East Bay where he litigated real estate and business cases throughout California. In later years, working with his close friend and partner Bob Belzer, Belzer & Murray was known as an honest and results oriented law frm representing multiple generations of appreciative clients, many of whom became friends.

Whether it was playing at Alameda Beach with the granddaughters, swimming in Lake Tahoe or hiking in Big Sur, California was his playground and he loved exploring and photographing near and far. He was a collector of art and was a patron to many emerging photographers and artists. He loved mariachi music and visiting Mexico, learning about the culture and people. He relished his role as Papa to the three granddaughters, always making up games, working on art projects or just chatting. Everyone who knew Bill declared him to be THE Bill

Murray as he was one of a kind and will be remembered for his unselfsh, giving heart, ferce competitive nature, quick wit, and keen intellect.

Bill leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Katherine (Gilmore), children Justin (Becky) Murray, Laura (Mike) Constantin, granddaughters Cecilia Murray and Summer and Fiona Constantin, sisters Mary Ann (Michael) Fiamingo, Mary Beth (Scott) Kolstad (both deceased), Mary Kay (Mark) Mercer, brothers John (Terri) Murray, Michael Murray, Terrence Murray, France (Kris) Murray, Phil (Linda) Murray, Patrick (Connie) Murray, Martin Murray, and Tim (Marina) Murray, sisters’ in law, Liz (Randy) Harward, Caroline (Samir) Fahmy, Jennifer (Mark) Gustafson, mother in law Leah Gilmore, many nieces and nephews and longtime friends. He was the rock of our family and will be missed forever.

Family services were held with interment in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland. Memorial donations may be sent in Bill’s name to Meals on Wheels of Alameda County.