BOW - William J. Murray, 61, of Sundance Lane, died Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. He was surrounded and supported by his loving family throughout his courageous battle with liposarcoma, a rare form of cancer.

Born Dec. 23, 1947, in Providence, R.I., son of the late William and Mary (Hackett) Murray, he was a graduate of LaSalle Academy, Class of 1965, in Providence, R.I., and Providence College, Class of 1969. He went on to serve as a U.S. Army officer in Germany from 1969 to 1972.

In 1978, after six years of working in New York, he settled with his family in Bow, where he started his own delivery company, Murray's Express Inc., which has been in continuous operation to this day.

Bill enjoyed many outdoor activities with his family and friends, including hiking, skiing and rafting. He was also an avid traveler who visited numerous destinations throughout the world. He loved both reading and writing poetry and dedicated many hours to the craft. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and two grandchildren, who will all miss him dearly.

He was predeceased by his brother, Michael Murray; and his sister, Kathleen O'Connell.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Andrea Murray; their two children, Stephen Murray of Bar Harbor, Maine, and Christine Brennecke of Cambridge, Mass.; two grandchildren, Sammy Murray and Maggie Murray; daughter-in-law, Rebecca Murray; and son-in-law, Will Brennecke; his brother, Joseph Murray; and his sister-in-law, Kathleen Murray of Seekonk, Mass.; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bennett Funeral Home, 3 Church St., Concord.

A memorial service will immediately follow at 1 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., Suite 1212, Boston 02115; or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (cff.org).

Bennett Funeral Home of Concord is in charge of arrangements.