Obituary of Arthur William "Bill" Murray

Halifax, passed away January 5, 2014. He was born in Halifax, October 22, 1920, to the late Arthur Vincent Murray and Mary (Mae) Elizabeth Murray. Prior to WW II, he graduated from Halifax Academy and attended Nova Scotia College of Art 1939-1940. In early 1941, he joined RCN, graduated as a Sub Leiut., RCNVR from Royals Roads Naval College in August 1941, 2nd officers training class. He saw service in examination vessels and minesweeper HMCS "Kelowna" in North Pacific waters; joined new construction Fairmile Q097 in fall of 1942, operating with 76 Flotilla in North Atlantic; commanded Q093 October 1943- April 1944; joined the historic corvette HMCS "Sackville" and served as executive officer up to November 1944. He was promoted to Lieut. CDR RCN(R) on reserve list 1952 and saw reserve time in HMCS "Haida" and "Micmac". Following his discharge in January 1946, he resumed his education at the American Academy of Art, Chicago Illinois. He graduated in 1948 and followed up with studies in advertising at Northwestern University. He met his wife Vera (Hansen) in Chicago where they were married on August 7th ,1948. He worked with Drake Studios, The Daily Newspaper, Chicago American and for many years with Geyer McAllister Publications. He joined Wall Street Journal in 1960 and in 1963 was appointed regional advertising manager of the Cincinnati Ohio office. In 1972, he and wife returned to Halifax where he took up his appointment of supervisor of advertising, Nona Scotia. Department of Government Services. He retired in October 1984, and he and Vera settled in Vero Beach, Florida. On the death of his wife in May 1998, he returned to Halifax in September of that year. He was an active member of the Nova Scotia Naval Officers Association. Awarded the N.O.A.C. Bronze Medallion in 1980 for service to N.O.A.C. and Canada. Also a member of RUSI (Royal United Services Institute). He was also a trustee of the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust (HMCS Sackville). He was also for several years a member of AAEC (Association of American Editorial Cartoonists). He was active in newspaper work in Cincinnati. Bill is survived by sister, Mrs. W.L. Garrison, several nieces and nephews. Arrangements are under the care of J. Albert Walker Funeral Home (2005) Ltd. (477-5601). Abiding with Bill’s wishes, there will be no visitation or service. Donations in memory may be made to the SPCA or the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust.