William Creighton Murray

William Creighton Murray "Bill", passed away in Vancouver, WA on March 4, 2010 of cancer. Bill was a teacher, athlete, artist, storyteller and friend to many. He lived a full and complete life. As a son, brother, husband, father, uncle and grandfather he shaped his family with loving kindness and occasional motivational help. As a teacher, coach, counselor and school administrator he brought to his work a total commitment to excellence and an honest compassion for his students and colleagues. Bill was born in Ellsworth, ME on Jan. 24, 1930 to Fleming Jackson Murray and Bessie Catherine (MacDonald) Murray. At the age of two his family moved to Port Angeles, WA where he grew to be an avid Boy Scout, athlete and outdoorsman. No stranger to hard work, he held many jobs at the ITT Rayonier Mill, where his father, grandfather and uncle worked. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Port Angeles in 1947 and went on to attend Central Washington State College in Ellensburg, WA earning a degree in Education in 1951. In 1951 Bill married his college sweetheart Vinita Lou Spray of Walla Walla, WA and soon after began the hard work of raising twins and sharing the responsibilities of parenting. He started his educational career with the Vancouver Public Schools in 1952 where he served as a teacher and coach for Shumway Junior High School. In 1954 Vinita and Bill's third child was born, rounding out the family. Bill coached basketball, football and track and field for the Shumway Trojans in an energetic and inspirational way. The highlight of his coaching career came in 1960 when his 9th grade basketball team won the Southwest Washington Championship. To Bill Murray, every student and athlete who gave his or her best was a winner. Bill took on increasing responsibility within his profession, after earning his Master of Education from the University of Oregon in 1962. He served a term as President for the Vancouver Education Association in the 1960's. The Vancouver School District (VSD) promoted Bill to counselor and administrative positions at Columbia River High, Jason Lee Junior High and Hudson's Bay High. In 1968 he became Supervisor of Art Education and in 1974 Acting Director of Area II of the VSD. His career culminated in 1982 when he retired as Assistant Superintendent for Area II of VSD. After retirement he took on various roles, helping to pioneer educational television and early cable TV in Clark County as an Educational Consultant for the Vancouver Educational Telecommunications Consortium. He also served as a University Master Teacher Supervisor assisting student teachers in their training and helping to foster a new generation of educators. Bill loved the game of golf and played for over 50 years. He belonged to Orchard Hill's Golf and Country Club and was a club champion in 1973. He loved all animals, especially his many cats and dogs. After Vinita's death in 1996 Bill remarried. He was married to Patty Generaux from 1998-2008 and valued her friendship until his death. Bill was preceded in death by his father and mother; and his first wife, Vinita. He is survived by his sister, Jane Balogh (Bill) of Federal Way, WA; son, Michael Murray (Margaret) of Vancouver, WA; daughters, Marilyn Gardner (David) and Lezlie Murray (Kevin Smyth), all of Anchorage, AK; grandchildren, Alex Murray (Kinzie) of Yuba City, CA, Ryan Murray of Vancouver, WA, David Murray of Fort Lewis, WA, Andrew Gardner (Maggie Chen) of Seattle, WA, Laura Gardner of Anchorage, AK; great-grandchildren, Cameron and Creighton Murray, both of Yuba City, CA; sister-in-law, Marilyn Robertson (Terry) of Vancouver, WA; niece, Kathi Taylor (Tim) of Lake Tapps, WA; nephews, Bill Balogh, Jr. of Federal Way, WA, Scott Robertson (Erin) of Arlington, WA and Geoff Robertson (Masako) of Okinawa, Japan; great-nephews, Tim and Christopher Taylor of Lake Tapps, WA; great-niece, Katie Taylor of Lake Tapps, WA; great-nephews, Taiyo and Triton Robertson of Okinawa, Japan; and a great-niece, Kenna Jane Robertson of Arlington, WA.