ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Lieutenant-Commander William (Bill) Murray, Castlequarter, Coosan, Athlone, County Westmeath, late of Cork and formerly of County Limerick. Peacefully on Thursday 22nd May 2025, in the tender care of the nurses and staff of Saint Francis Hospice, Raheny, Dublin. Predeceased by his beloved wife Eithne and his son Donald. Sadly missed by his loving daughter Christine, sons Alan, Brendan and Michael, son-in-law Val, daughters-in-law Yolanda, Helen and Lena, brother Michael, brother-in-law Sean, his adoring grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, in-laws, relatives, Naval Service and Defence Forces comrades and many friends.
May He Rest In Peace
William A (Bill) Murray was one of the two members of the First Naval Service Cadet Class and went on to command two Flower Class Corvettes. A native of Limerick, Bill was born in 1929 and along with his classmate, the late Lieutenant-Commander Harry Henry, completed his cadet training at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth United Kingdom and was commissioned on 7th March 1949. Following promotion to Lieutenant-Commander, Bill commanded both LE Macha 01 and LE Cliona 03. Prior to his retirement, he also served as Executive Officer and Second-in-Command, Naval Base and Dockyard.
Following his retirement from the Naval Service he joined the Commissioners for Shannon Navigation as Inspector for Navigation and was based in Athlone. He remained in this role up to his retirement in 1995. As well as those colleagues who served with him during his Naval career, Bill will also be fondly remembered by a generation of Naval Officers who will recall his service on the First Line Reserve, where he shared his knowledge and experience of life in the early years of the Naval Service.
Reposing at Flynn’s Funeral Home, The Strand, Athlone, County Westmeath on Friday evening from 7pm until 8pm. Requiem Mass on Saturday in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Coosan at 1pm followed by burial afterwards in Coosan Cemetery.
Bill’s family would like to express their gratitude to everyone for their sympathy and support during this very difficult time. House private. No flowers please. Donations if desired in lieu to St. Francis Hospice, Raheny, Dublin: https://www.sfh.ie/donate/
Bill’s funeral Mass may be viewed live via the following link: https://www.churchservices.tv/coosan
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Bill’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/william-bill-murray-limerick-594821
