Mr. William Keith Murray

William Keith Murray, 78, of 1036 Williams Street crossed over Friday, January 17, 2014 at home after a long illness, surrounded by his wife and family. Keith was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on November 7, 1935, to Walter Leo and Mary Ann Hall Murray. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic School in 1954. He later attended Berkshire Community College and the former North Adams State College graduating with a degree in Business. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1955 and was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi and Houma, Louisiana until 1959. Keith married the former Sarah Allen at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Tallulah, Louisiana on April 6, 1957. They moved to Pittsfield in 1959. Keith was employed by the General Electric Company as a testman in the Ordinance Department and later as a systems analyst for the SMAINS Program. He retired in 1991 after 32 years of service. After retiring from GE he worked part time for Manning Livery Service and the Eagle Express. A longtime member of the Irish American Organization, Keith performed in the annual Irish Follies for several years. He enjoyed camping, gardening, woodworking, traveling to Nashville, Tennessee and Louisiana and sitting on his deck watching and feeding the birds. Keith also loved watching old movies, in particular John Wayne Westerns, but the thing he enjoyed the most was spending time with family. For 36 years he and his wife of 56 years hosted a huge family picnic in July and a Christmas Eve Party (which always concluded with a rendition of “The 12 Days of Christmas”) with relatives gathering from around the country. He was so happy spending time with his grandchildren in his back yard and attending parties and picnics at nieces’ and nephews’ homes. In addition to his wife, Keith is survived by his children, Sarah Margaret Murray of Pittsfield, Richard of Nashville, TN, Joseph and his wife Ann of Pittsfield and Cheryl of Pittsfield; six grandchildren, Benjamin Baumann, Katie (“Rebecca”) Baumann, Emily Murray, Timothy (“Tim-O”) Murray, Dylan Turner and Jason (“the Jakester”) Turner; a brother Kevin B. Murray of New Baltimore, New York; and many wonderful, wonderful nieces and nephews. Keith was pre-deceased by two brothers, John and Paul, five sisters, Margaret Knight, Barbara Stack, Constance Brandon, Priscilla Pipp and Hope Cimini. Funeral Notice with Flag: Funeral services for Mr. William Keith Murray will be Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 8 a.m. from the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield MA with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at St. Mark’s Church celebrated by the Rev. John C. Salatino, pastor and concelebrated by the Rev. David Aufiero, Parochial Vicar. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Monday, January 20, 2014 from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for memorial donations to either Hospice Care of the Berkshires or the T.J. Martell Foundation for Cancer Research, care of the Dwyer Funeral Home. DONATIONS CANNOT BE MADE ONLINE, but may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Mr. William Keith Murray

November 7, 1935 - January 17, 2014