Dr. William Bailey-Murray Jr., of Rockford departed this earthly life August 14, 2024. He was born October 9, 1953 in Rockford the son of William Sr. and Ora Bailey-Murray. William married the former Diane Brown, August 27, 2004 in Rockford.  He was self-employed as a dentist since 1984 retiring in 2023 and employed by Lowes Distribution Center 17 years before retiring in 2023. William was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church.  He graduated from West High School class of 1971 and graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta receiving his Bachelor's  Degree in Biology and graduated from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN with his Doctorate in Dentistry. William was a member of Phi Beta Sigma. He also served on the board of Booker Washington Community Center.

William leaves to cherish many loving memories, his devoted wife, Diane; son, Perry Brown; and daughter Eunice Brown; four grandchildren, Syntoria, Av'yon, Octavius and Jaquavian; three great grandchildren, Der'yon, Melina and Amora; his sister, Diane ( Dr. Edwin) Hines; three nieces, Darol, Leslie and Jessica; godson, Trenton Wilkes; a host of other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents.

Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 26,  2024 at Pilgrim Baptist Church 1703 S. Central Ave. Burial in Cedar Bluff Cemetery. Visitation will be held from  9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Arrangements completed by Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc. 200 N. Johnston Ave.