Murray Leigh Hiam

Murray Leigh Hiam was born March 12, 1953 in Birmingham to John and Annie Laurie Shelnutt Hiam. He attended Glen Iris Elementary and graduated from Ramsay High School. Growing up in Birmingham, he attended 11th Avenue Methodist Church. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a BA in education and taught physical education for several years. He returned to school, receiving a BA from UAB and an MFA from Rutgers University. He passed on or about January 28, 2024.

Murray was a man of many talents, interests, and activities. He sketched, painted, sculpted, and photographed and was a past president of the Birmingham Art Association. He was an adjunct professor for the art department at UAB, teaching drawing for a time. He also taught at Snead State Community College. He loved Birmingham and in 2011 acquired the Hood McPherson furniture store building. He sold it to Auburn University, partly to honor his younger brother, Johnny Hiam, who was a freshman at Auburn University when he was killed by a drunk driver.

Murray was a caring and generous person. He didn’t know a stranger. Many met him as he walked in and around Birmingham, up to 8 miles a day, and met friends at various locations for his morning coffee. As a curious person and lifelong learner, few could best him at a trivia contest. Among numerous charitable activities, Murray was particularly involved with Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, for whom he constructed an arbor and invited participants to leave items on the arbor that represented personal memories of their loved ones. For him it was his father’s car keys.

Murray was predeceased by his mother and father, brother Johnny, and beloved aunt Annabel. He is survived by his brother, Randy (Pam) of Murphy, Texas, nephew Jason Hiam of McKinney, Texas and Jason’s daughter, Samantha (Murray’s great niece), nephew Kevin Hiam of Frisco, Texas, and niece Shelley Hiam of Dallas, Texas.

A memorial service for Murray is planned Tuesday, March 12 (his birthday), 2 pm, at Johns-Ridout's Mortuary Elmwood Chapel (800 Dennison Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211).

There is a Facebook Group, Remembering Murray Hiam, where you can share pictures and memories:

https://m.facebook.com/groups/792300372923871/?ref=sharehttps://m.facebook.com/groups/792300372923871/?ref=share&exp=7ffb

Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama (https://alzca.org/) or the organization of your choice.