Willard H. Murray Jr. was born January 1, 1931 in Los Angeles, California. A Democrat representing Compton, he earned his BS from Northridge State College, JD from Loyola Law School, and MBA from Loyola Marymount University. He was an engineer who worked in the Aerospace Division of TRW, and was active in the 1960s civil rights movement. He dedicated more than 25 years to government service, working for Congressman Mervyn Dymally, the Los Angeles City Council, and the Los Angeles Mayor, Sam Yorty. He was elected to the State Assembly in 1988. He chaired the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration. His legislative agenda focused on education, criminal justice, economic development and healthcare. Willard Murray and his son, Kevin Murray, were the first father and son duo to serve in the Assembly at the same time. He was a past chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. Willard Murray served in the Assembly until 1996. Willard H. Murray, Jr. died on December 20, 2021, at the age of 90.