William Bill John Murphy

William “Bill” Murphy passed away on Friday, August 22, 2014. A private family memorial service will be held in October 25, 2014 at 2 o’clock at the First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood. All, who are able, are welcome to join us.

Bill was born on 21 July 1928 in New York City to William Nicholas Murphy and Julia Krupp. He graduated from City College of New York with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree. He began working at a young age, waiting tables at the Harvard Club which is where he learned to speak Spanish fluently, a skill that would soon come in very handy.

Bill married his high school sweetheart, Helen Cunningham, in February 1950 after being offered a position with Celanese Corp that would take them to Mexico City. A year later his first daughter, Lynne Irene, a blonde, was born – during an earthquake! Helen’s mother, Helene Cunningham, aka “Me-Ma” joined them there.

The following year they returned to New York where daughter #2, Gayle Helene, a brunette, was born – on the same day, in the same hospital and by the same doctor, as her mother. A few years later, Bill was promoted and transferred to Charlotte N.C. where daughter #3, Karen Julia, a redhead, was born. No earthquake, no matching birthday and no question - Daddy’s little girl.

It was in Charlotte that the Murphy’s met the Panaro’s with whom they would become life-long best friends. They vacationed often with the Panaro’s, including several cruises and a two week road trip around the western US in a rented Winnebago…a vacation that would have made quite a comical Hollywood movie!

The family moved several times within New York and finally settled in Floral Park. In 1962 Bill accepted a position with Mobil Chemical Company that took the family to England for almost three years. They returned to the US aboard the S.S. France which, until the Queen Mary 2, was the longest passenger ship ever built.

On return to the US, the family moved to Westport, Connecticut where Bill designed and built their first home. Both Helen and Bill were members of Greens Farms Congregational Church where they sang in the choir regularly. Bill was a tenor and Helen a soprano. Bill’s younger brother, Donald, was also a tenor and they often sang together at family holiday gatherings. Bill continued with Mobil until 1971 when, again drawing on his Spanish, accepted a position as Vice-President of Trans Caribbean Airways, spearheading the TV, radio and newspaper divisions in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The next few decades, after 1975, was a period of great challenge in the oil industry with the emergence of OPEC and the consequent rise in oil prices. Bill’s financial expertise and knowledge was invaluable to those with whom he worked. He was a very gregarious person, well liked and highly respected by all who came into contact with him, whether in business or socially. Never short of an amusing story, even if not always new, together with his lively personality, made Bill a welcome addition to any occasion.

His time associated with the independent oil trading business took him all over the world, from Saudi Arabia to Europe, Asia and Central and South America including a move to Caracas, Venezuela. He ultimately landed in Kingwood, Texas, designed the home of his dreams and lived there for the next 35 years. Here Helen and Bill both joined the First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood and again became members of the choir which they so enjoyed.

After his move to Kingwood, Bill continued working as a consultant for Tejas Tubular Products, where he worked full time until 3 months prior to his passing.

He is preceded in death by both his parents and brother, Donald. He is survived by his wife, of 64 years, Helen Murphy, daughter, Lynne Baldwin; daughter Gayle Anholt; daughter and husband, Karen and Mark Neinast; grandchildren and spouses, Karen and Carlos Diaz; Blair Baldwin; Danielle and Andrew Ray; Fleur and Brad Bruna; Westley, Nicholas and Laura Neinast; great-grandchildren and spouse; Morgan and Todd DeMun; Jamie Clough; John David, Jade and Emmalee Baldwin; Brenna and Jaxson Ray; Hayden Davis; Graham Bruna; and great great granddaughter, Mckinzie DeMun.

Dad was a man of great character, a loving husband and father, a friend to many and will be greatly missed. In the days before his death, my father kept repeating “I have to go home”…May God bless you Dad and welcome you home.