William Otis Murray, 87, of Dallas, TX went to be with our Lord on Monday, April 23, 2018 in the early morning hours.
William was born on September 06, 1930, in Dallas, TX, to the late Arthur William Murray and the late Gladys Cleo Murray. He spent his youth in Dallas attending First Methodist Church with his family, was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and worked for a local drug store behind the soda fountain. Upon his graduation from North Dallas High School, William enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin, where he studied business administration and was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. William graduated from the University of Texas with a BBA and began working in the insurance industry. He married Cecelia Longaker in June of 1957 and they lived in San Antonio for two years before returning to Dallas. William and Cecelia welcomed their first child, Norris, into the world in October 1958 and in October 1959 they welcomed their second child, David. Following the move back to Dallas, William spent the next decade in the insurance industry, including managing a partnership as an independent insurance agent.
In the early 1970s, William was very interested and involved in the Episcopal charismatic movement and the spread of the Gospel. William felt called to establish a new business focused around the efforts of this movement. In partnership with a close friend, they established Tapemasters, Inc., to record and duplicate the teachings and conferences of the national charismatic movement. Over the next two decades, William and his partner were dedicated to the development and distribution of this material as the business grew to include other interests. Following the growth and development of a private label cassette business and other achievements, William and his partner sold this business and he retired.
In retirement over the next two decades, William enjoyed traveling around the world with Cecelia, visiting and watching grandchildren grow and develop and eventually seeing two great-grandchildren born. During these years William was, once again, involved with his college fraternity. He served the local chapter in Austin and attended and was honored for his service and involvement at national conventions. He found great pleasure in helping younger members of the fraternity in their efforts at the University of Texas.
Nothing was more important than family to William. William is survived by his wife, Cecelia Murray, his son Norris Murray and wife Rebecca, his son David Murray, his grandchildren Jacque Akers and husband Ross, Jantzen Murray, Samuel Murray and wife Eden, his great-grandchildren Rhett Akers and Rose Akers, his brother Robert Murray, and many cousins, nephews, nieces and other family members.
William’s family wishes to express a special thanks to the caring personnel of Visiting Angels, CC Young Skilled Nursing, and Faith Presbyterian Hospice who provided wonderful and compassionate care to William during his last two years.