William Donald "Don" Murray

William Donald "Don" Murray, 64, of3610 South Beaver Lane, died Thursday, March 31, 2005 at Rex Healthcare after months of declining health. Don was born in Wilson County on May 15, 1940 to the late William Doyette Murray, Sr. and Tempie Lindsey Murray. A self-employed entrepreneur, Don began his career at the age of nine working for Parker's Barbecue in Wilson until the age of 33. He left Wilson and moved toRaleigh in 1973 where he formed a partnership and opened Don Murray's Barbecue on Capital Blvd. Soon Don decided to strike out on his own, dissolving the partnership and in August 1979, Don opened Barbecue Lodge, Inc. in Mini City on Capital Blvd. Hisbusiness thrived and soon had restaurants around North Carolina. In addition to the restaurant business, Don decided to venture into farming. Never willing to rest, Don purchased farms and formed Murray Swine Enterprises. With the farm business up and running, he decided to begin a career in real estate, forming Don Murray Realty. At this time he began purchasing property throughout eastern North Carolina. After a successful career in business, in 1998, his health began to decline therefore forcing him into retirement in 2002. Don was a member of the North Carolina Real Estate Board, North Carolina Board of Auctioneers,Scottish Rite of Free Masonary, S. J., Amran Shriners, and the Millbrook Masonic Lodge #97.
Funeral service 3 p.m. Sunday, April 3, 2005 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service chapel. Entombment, Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh,NC 27612.
Surviving: His loving wife, Juanita Shavers "Nita" Murray; sons, Michael D. Murray and his wife, Lynne D. of Wendell, Steven G. Murray and wife, Kim B. of Wendell, Ronald G. Murray and wife, Patricia O. of Wilson; grandchildren, TaraElizabeth Murray, Lyndsay Nicole Murray, Donald Blake Murray, Steven Tyler Murray, Brittany Jordan Murray, Ashley Brooke Murray; nieces, Allison and Kathryn; nephew, Randy; four great-nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, William D. "Bill" Murray, Jr., Wayne M. Murray, Waylon Murray, Doyette Murray, Jr. and sister, Tempie Jean Murray.
Family will receive relatives and friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, April 2, 2005 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service & Crematory, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale, NC 27545 and other times at the home.
Flowers are accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 3131-100 RDU Center Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560; Leukemia Foundation, 4320 Bland Road, Raleigh, NC 27609; American Diabetes Association, P. O. Box 1132, Fairfax, VA 22038-1132.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.poolefuneral.com under Obituaries.