William “Bill” Christie Murphy, age 91, of Midland, GA, died surrounded by his family. A Celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd. Columbus, GA. A second memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 10:30 am at America’s Keswick 601 County Road 530, Whiting, NJ.
Bill was born on October 14, 1930 in Northeast Philadelphia, PA; the son of James Murphy, an Irish Immigrant and Elizabeth (Bessie) Clements Christie Murphy, he is the youngest of five children. He graduated from Frankford High School. He met his beloved wife, Bea, on the boardwalk in Wildwood at Kofski’s Corner. They were married on February 10, 1951. He worked with his brothers painting and paperhanging business for a few years before he went to work for Abbott Dairies, he then spent the rest of his career with Stroehmann Bakeries. He was proud to have attended Temple University to further his career. They spent many years in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania before moving to Somers Point, New Jersey for his career with Stroehmann. When he retired they moved to Spruce Creek in Summerfield, FL where they spent a few years. Realizing they wanted to be closer to family, they moved to Whiting, NJ. The best part of retirement was being together. They enjoyed traveling and were active volunteers in the local school and with America’s Keswick. They liked to keep busy so at different points they also worked for Six Flags Great Adventure Amusement Park and America’s Keswick. In 2012 they moved to Georgia to live with their son Gary and his family. They were welcomed with open arms into Cornerstone Baptist Church and they became part of that family too. When the time came that his beloved wife needed additional care, Columbus Hospice entered his life and changed it forever. He was so grateful for all the loving care Bea had received he wanted to give back. So as soon as he was able he began volunteering there and they became part of his family too. He had quite the busy schedule until COVID derailed it. Monday and Wednesday morning was hospice, Tuesday was Cracker Barrel for lunch, Thursday was grocery shopping at Winn Dixie and then lunch at Ruby Tuesday’s, Friday was often a spur-of-the-moment choice and Sunday after church was IHOP. He has specific servers, tables and food he ordered. If he missed a lunch they would often call and check on him. He truly loved people and had a big personality that charmed and entertained everyone. All of them will be able to give his answer to the question: “Can I get you anything?” Every year he would travel back home to visit his sons and family in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware for about a month, as well as attend a retreat at America’s Keswick. Nothing brought him more joy than time spent with his family. He was so happy when Columbus Hospice made a way for him to come back and volunteer on Monday’s. It gave him back his pep in his step. Once he was able to get back out again Wendy’s on Beaver Run became his favorite lunch stop. Miss T and the staff treated him like family, in fact they called him Grandpa. He also loved a Sausage Egg McMuffin from McDonald’s every time he was out and about during breakfast hours. Pops stories would make you laugh, make you cry and make you think. His personality shined through. If you knew him, he touched your life. He is now with his lovely bride, flying high all over heaven watching over all of us, together again. Pop loved life, he loved his bride, loved their four boys, their brides, his grandkids, his great grandkids and all the pups, but he loved God most and understood the Lord's plan for us all. He worked hard, every day, raised four truly different men, all great people. He loved life, truly and lived it to the fullest.
He was preceded in death by: his wife, Beatrice Millie McDowell; his three brothers, Herbert, Joseph (Bud) and James (Jimmy) Murphy; and his grandson, Nathan Murphy.
Survivors include: his sons, William J. (Billy) Murphy, Robert C. (Sharon) Murphy, Gary H. (Shelice) Murphy, Michael G. (Debra) Murphy, and his “fifth son” Warren Anthony; his grandchildren, Kelly (Joe) Thompson, Robin (Mike) Bryant, Ben Murphy, Mychel-Anne Murphy, William Murphy, Isaac Murphy, Michael Murphy, Brandon Murphy, Alexa Silva, Christopher Silva; his great grandchildren, Karley Thompson, Caleb Thompson, Lily Murphy, Ryland Bryant; and his sister Elizabeth ”Bessie” Sommerville.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Columbus Hospice
https://www.columbushospice.com/donate
or America’s Keswick.
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E141644&id=8
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Murphy family.
