Bill Murray, the longtime executive at MWW known for being a pro’s pro in the industry and a hall-of-fame human, has died.
The news will send shockwaves through the professional and political worlds in which he worked. Few knew he was battling cancer.
Murray worked at MWW the past 35 years — serving as its national director of public affairs since 2007.
But he was so much more than that.
Murray was an incredible mentor, both with his clients and colleagues, guiding them through any situation with grace and insights.
MWW founder Michael Kempner released an incredibly moving tribute to the staff this morning.
“Bill is known, loved and respected by the very fabric of the New Jersey business and policy communities,” Kempner wrote. “Everyone you meet has a Bill story. And every one of those stories will make you smile.
“I am lucky to call him my friend and grateful to have walked this path with him by my side.”
Here is Kempner’s note to the staff:
“I am reaching out with a heavy heart to share some devastating news about our friend and colleague Bill Murray. Some of you know that Bill has been battling cancer for some time, but in typical Bill fashion, he worked though it and didn’t want anyone to know. Unfortunately, Bill took a sudden turn over the past few days, and he lost that battle yesterday afternoon, at home surrounded by his family.
“Bill was one of the earliest employees of our firm, and he helped put us on the map for our deep expertise in all things New Jersey, and for his ability to navigate complex issues of public policy, politics and community.
“Rich Levesque said it best: “When people knew MikeWorldWide was involved, they knew they had the best.” Bill did that. And he taught his colleagues how to do that for three decades.
“Bill believed in the power and importance of relationships and always made the effort to be there in person – whether at a Chamber of Commerce event or a 1:1 client meeting. He was famous for telling you that he had just passed Parsippany and was calling from the side of the Turnpike. He knew every Chamber leader, legislative staffer or Chief of Staff to a New Jersey CEO by name.
“His deep commitment to his clients and his MWW family was unwavering. He was emailing clients and colleagues as recently as earlier this week. No one took more pride in his work than Bill, and it is somehow poetic that he chose to do what he does best right up to the end.
“Bill didn’t look for the limelight. He never thought he was too senior or too important to do anything … he took the calls, wrote the memos, and when clients needed him, he always showed up. Authentically. Earnestly. And with the solutions they needed.
“Bill is known, loved and respected by the very fabric of the New Jersey business and policy communities. Everyone you meet has a Bill story. And every one of those stories will make you smile. Bill recently took a trip to Ireland with his family and sheepishly admitted that he didn’t answer all this emails – for the first time ever. He was so proud of his team, especially Rich, Steve, Kathleen and Jackie, for holding down the fort while he was gone. And when we told him this was evidence he could take a real vacation and he should do it again he replied, “We’ll see.”
“It is hard to imagine MWW without Bill. He specifically told me that he expected us to protect and grow what he built – to make sure everyone knows that MWW remains the pride of New Jersey. That our clients are well taken care of. And that we proudly assert ourselves as a force to be reckoned with. Always. So, we will carry on. And our New Jersey business will always be our foundation and an important priority. We will make Bill proud.
“It is terribly hard to say goodbye to such a special friend. Bill and I grew up together while we built this firm, one small client at a time. I watched him fight for his clients like the fiercest protector. And he fought his illness the same way. With humor, determination, and grace. Bill was private about his situation, but he took the steps to take care of his family, his clients and his team.
“He spent his final weeks and months elevating his team leaders to take on his most precious client relationships and ensuring we would all be ok. I am lucky to call him my friend and grateful to have walked this path with him by my side.
“Bill’s family is making preparations to celebrate his life, and once we have those details, we will be sure to share them with you. Here at MWW, we are working closely with Bill’s wife Sarah and his three daughters to identify the best ways we can honor his memory and his tremendous impact on our firm, our industry and our home state of New Jersey.”
