Sherill Jean "Sherry" Murphy - Willard

Sherrill (Sherry) Murphy-Willard ~ January 1949 to June 2025
Sherry was wife to Kelly, mother to eight children; John, Sean, Shannon, Chris, Jennifer, Tracey, Michelle, and Kendal. She had eleven grandchildren, two great grandchildren, the love of her brother Ron, sister Pam, and other family members. Sherry's greatest joy was cooking for and spending time with her family, especially the grand kids. She had been a licensed beautician, and an entrusted manager at Keoki's Restaurant in her younger years. She belonged to St. John's Catholic Church, in Naches, WA, and enjoyed cooking for events held there. Sherry had high expectations of her kids, and tried to teach them, "A job worth doing, was worth doing it well." She encouraged her family to work through disagreements, always stick together, look out for, and protect each other.
Sherry found her calling in law enforcement in 1980, when she was hired by the Yakima Police Department. Sherry became the department's first female uniformed YPD patrol officer. Some of her duties included assignments in the Detective Division, Traffic Enforcement Unit, and as the "Team Leader" of the Emergency Response Team's "Hostage Negotiator Unit." Sherry was retired from the uniformed patrol division, after injury related surgeries. She later transferred to the records division, where she eventually became the "Police Services Division Manager." Sherry retired after 34 years of service with the Yakima Police Department. Sherry said those years were with the police, were the most fulfilling years of her life.
I met Sherry and became her husband, while also working as an officer at YPD. I have been by her side since 1992. It was common, while in public, to hear someone shout, "Officer Murphy? Is that you? You probably don't remember me, but;" We would be approached by persons who had encountered her during her career, and thanked her for how she had changed their lives years earlier. She was frequently thanked for her kindness, understanding, discretion, or just for listening to their problems. While in high school, her children also recalled stories told by their friends, of how their mom was, "So Cool for treating them fairly, and making sure they got home safe." Those who worked with her in law enforcement, knew her as a tiny spitfire with attitude. If you didn't see things her way, she had no problem explaining why you should. She often stated, "I'll tap dance on your head, and kick you for falling!" Come to think about it, "I never did win one of those battles." "Right Kids?"
Retired Officer Sherry Murphy-Willard (Badge #2491,) it is the end of your shift, and your patrol is over. Those who loved you, will remember you for who you were and what you taught us. Those who served with you, thank you for your service. It is now left to us, to stand the watch. We will not forget you.
Good bye my wife, my partner, my friend;
Sergeant Kelly Willard
Yakima Police Department, Retired
That is all
Funeral Mass at 1:00pm on Wednesday, June 18th at St. John Catholic Church in Naches, Washington.
Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at: www.brooksidefuneral.com