John White Murphy

John White Murphy, 80, of Williamsburg, Virginia passed away peacefully on December 7, 2023 with his wife, Julie by his side. John was born on August 7, 1943 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to John J. and Ellen J. (O’Brien) Murphy. He grew up in Belmont, Massachusetts and was a graduate of Belmont High School and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. John joined the Army in 1965 as a military intelligence officer, serving in Viet Nam with the 9th Infantry Division, and earning a Bronze Star. Upon returning home, he attended Suffolk University Law School in Boston. In 1978, he returned to active duty for a 3-year tour as an Army judge advocate. This was followed by a position as a civilian attorney advisor. John’s career culminated at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command headquarters at Fort Monroe, where he was chief of the Civil Law Division, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate for 24 years, retiring in 2008. He also served in the Army Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1996.

In retirement, John enjoyed traveling (especially river cruises), serving on the Board of the Heritage Humane Society, attending the annual RAJA (Retired Army Judge Advocate Association) meeting, playing golf with the Peninsula Men’s Retirement Club, and getting together for lunch with friends in the ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) club. John was a life-long Patriots and Red Sox fan and loved visiting Boston and Maine and getting back to his New England roots. He was a devoted husband to Julie, the love of his life, who he met on the Provincetown Ferry when he asked her if he could borrow money for a beer. They enjoyed 57 happy years together, living in Williamsburg for most of that time. John was a generous and kind soul who will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Murphy; brother-in-law, Paul Reardon; mother-in-law, Mary Wehrmann Leavy; and father-in-law, Robert Paul Wehrmann. He is survived by his wife, Julie Murphy; sister, Carol Reardon; brother-in-law, Carl Wehrmann and wife, Cathy; sister-in-law, Carol Wehrmann-Reid and husband, Dennis; and sister-in-law, Lisa Wehrmann. A memorial service will be held on January 12th at 12:00 pm at Saint Bede Catholic Church in Williamsburg, Virginia (3686 Ironbound Rd.) with reception to follow at the church. A memorial celebration of life will be held in Belmont, Massachusetts at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heritage Humane Society (430 Waller Mill Rd., Williamsburg, Virginia 23185).