William G. Murdy

June 5, 1934 - February 17, 2025

Baltimore, Maryland - William G. Murdy, Jr, passed away at his home on February 17, 2025. He was 90 years old.

Bill was born in New York City on June 5, 1934, the son and grandson of NYC police officers. He ran track and cross-country in high school and loved riding bikes, going to Yankees games, and visiting their pet cow with his best friends Boopsie, Dom, Ken, and Bob. Studying part-time at NYU, he got hooked on school and eventually earned his PhD in clinical psychology.

One day in graduate school, Bill spotted his future wife for the second time. The first time had been a short-lived chicken farming experiment a few years earlier, when he saw a parade in Gainesville: at the back of the band, there was a very pretty girl hefting an enormous sousaphone. Given the second chance, Bill quickly charmed his way into Louise's heart and they married in 1958. They were a stunning couple.

They both taught at Winthrop University from 1963-1997. Bill served as chair of the psychology department and co-founded the Counseling Center. Even though standing in front of a classroom was often nerve-wracking for him, he won accolades for his teaching and leadershipreal awards as well as those his buddies made up for him. He was known for his hilarious side comments and relentless New York accent, and he formed deep and steadfast friendships that sustained him through his career, retirement, and the ups and downs of golf on Tuesdays.

Many people wondered how such a serious, proper English professor like Louise could put up with Bill's irreverent sense of humor and shenanigans. But actually, Louise was Bill's personal Bud Abbott as he embraced his inner Lou Costello. Plus, she had a daring, adventurous side that expanded Bill's horizons and helped him more fully embrace life.

Bill loved movies, black-and-white photography, being outdoors, meeting friends for breakfast, and playing with his granddaughters & their dogs. In his later years, he loved living on the same block with both of his children in Baltimore.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife Louise and sister-in-law Sarah Scott (Bennett). He is survived by his sister-in-law Jane Ann Arnau (George); son, William Ewing Murdy; daughter, Anne-Elizabeth M. Brodsky; son-in-law, Simeon Brodsky; granddaughters Esther Rose and Ruth Evlin Brodsky; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill, SC, at 11 a.m. on March 29, 2025. Condolences may be offered to benefit the ACLU, Winthrop University, or the Baltimore School for the Arts.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Herald from Mar. 7 to Mar. 10, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for William Murdy

6 Entries

Gerri Nichols

March 16, 2025

CONDOLENCES TO THE MURDY FAMILY. I WORKED WITH HIS SON BILL AT THE RHPD AND AFTER I LEFT FOR HEALTH REASONS (HE )BILL JR.KEPT IN OCCASIONALLY CONTACT THROUGH PICTURES HE AND HIS FATHER TOOK. SO BILL KNOW YOUR FAMILY IS IN OUR PRAYERS

Rev. Stephen Foss

March 13, 2025

I took research statistics under Dr. Murdy. He was a fantastic professor. I´ll never forget how he began his lecture once, having occupied a student desk (and leaning back in it), with his arms down by his side - his hands grasping the desk top, working their way around the perimeter of the surface. Then moved his hands to the bottom of the seat (these were wooden seats with a writing pad surface as a desk top.

He suddenly halted his lecture, stood up, turned the chair and desk upside down, declaring,
"Welcome to college guys! This is where learn who the culprits will be that hide radioactive waste!!! It starts like this!"

The underside of the desktop and chair were littered with "chaws" of gum from years of students disposal of gum that had obviously lost its flavor. It was a classic Bill Murdy pedagogical episode! The entire class erupted in laughter. I´ll never forget it.

My deepest sympathies to the extended family of this excellent teacher. Though he was more liberal than I, I´ll always revere the excellence with which he taught, equipping students with thorough knowledge of the subjects he presented.

Sylvia Blake

March 10, 2025

Thank You for your service at Winthrop College. Alumni 1978.

Sally Scott Mintz

March 10, 2025

I first met Bill when he came to interview for the job at Winthrop. Such a character! I baby sat for the children and helped Bill keep the hood ornament on his Mercedes turned correctly: turned 90 degrees from the way the manufacturer thought it should be. The car was distinctive so I was able to help him where ever I saw the car around town. Louise was a member of the same "sewing club" that my mother belonged to. Little or no sewing was ever done but news of the town and Winthrop faculty was shared as they met monthly. Bill and my father both wore the same style sweaters. He was a fixture around the campus, always having a smile and some joke to tell. He will be missed but the memories remain of a man who positively impacted the lives of many.

Tom Blackmon

March 9, 2025

A terrific professor! Interesting, humorous and supportive of his students. A favorite of mine! Good memories of a great man!!