William H. Murray

Colonel William Henry Murray (“Bill”) passed away peacefully in his Northern Virginia home on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 two weeks shy of his 96th birthday. His beloved wife, Joan Falkenstein Murray, was by his side.

A true Yankee Doodle Dandy, Bill was born on the 4th of July, 1916, in Washington D.C. to Charles Nealy and Ethel Eta (Moss) Murray. He was predeceased by his sister Ada Mary Murray, his brother Lawrence Murray (Ann Marie Murray), niece Kathleen Murray, and his first wife of 43 years Modean Burks Murray.

An astute wordsmith and clever writer, Bill created word puzzles for a youth magazine while attending Georgetown University and writing poetry published by the University’s magazine. He later received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland. Bill was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1943, and on Christmas night, 1944, he landed in Belgium with the 17th Airborne Division and fought in the Battle of the Bulge where he was selected for a Field Officer’s Commission. His World War II experience also included the Rhine Operation, and his career continued with tours in Austria, Korea, Puerto Rico, and the Pentagon earning him many decorations including the Legion of Merit three times, two Bronze Stars, and the Army Commendation Medal. He also enjoyed wearing his Medal of Valor to reunions of the National Order of Battlefield Commissions.

Bill is survived by his wife of 23 years, Joan Falkenstein Murray, son Larry Murray (Susan), daughter Patricia Murray Novak (Ken), step-son Don Falkenstein (Carol Ann), step-daughters Phyllis Falkenstein Hening and Nancy Falkenstein Wilkes (Bob), and step-son Bob Falkenstein (Ellen), fourteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, niece Penny Murray Bartoli (John), and nephew Dennis Murray.

Bill is dearly loved and will be long-remembered for his sincere devotion to and pride for his family which he expressed through attention, affection, generosity, and tender, tear-filled eyes. Ever the romantic, he won Joan’s heart by leaving Stevie Wonder’s “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” on her answering machine when they were dating. He thoroughly enjoyed the political tension created by her elephant-collecting Republicanism and his flaming liberalism, at times declaring, “Obama’s my guy.” He embraced life and loved music, dancing, entertaining, traveling (he was an excellent D.C. tour guide), golfing, gardening, cards, listening to funny stories, and he was the kind of guy that children and animals adore. His absence is palpable.

A graveside service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on September 25 at 9:00, immediately followed by a brunch for family and friends at Ft. Myers Officers’ Club. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill’s name to the Fairfax County American Legion Post 177, Wounded Warrior Fund.