Msgr. William Celestine Murray died Thursday, Feb. 25, at Angel Bright Nursing Home in Corpus Christi. Msgr. Murray was born on April 3, 1931 in Waterford, Ireland and served the Diocese of Corpus Christi for 60 years.
“Msgr. Murray served the Diocese of Corpus Christi with dedication and dignity,” Bishop Michael Mulvey said.
Msgr. Murray was ordained June 19, 1955 and was invested as a monsignor on Jan. 5, 2005. He served as pastor and associate pastor in many parishes throughout the diocese, including Christ the King, Our Lady of Refuge, St. John of the Cross, St. John Neumann in Laredo–now in the Diocese of Laredo, St. Frances of Rome, Immaculate Conception in Goliad–now in the Diocese of Victoria, St. Gertrude, Sacred Heart in Rockport, St. Elizabeth, St. Therese in Woodsboro and St. Anthony in Violet.
He also served: as Dean of the Kingsville and Refugio Deaneries; a Pro-synodal examiner; on the Senate of Priests; as an advocate of the Diocesan Tribunal; on the Priest Personnel Board; and on the Presbyteral Council.
Msgr. Murray taught religion at Incarnate Word High School; served on the Conference of Christians and Jews; served as director of Catholic Boy Scouts; was on the National Committee on Scouting; served as chaplain of the Serra Club in Kingsville; was a member of the Equestrian Order of Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem; and was a fourth degree Knight having served as chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Council 1202.
Msgr. Murray was laid to rest in the St. Anthony Cemetery in Clarkwood.