Obituary published on Legacy.com by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home - Enid on Nov. 25, 2025.
Funeral services for Willie Murphey, 71, of Enid, will be at 11:00 AM Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Church of God Chapel in Guthrie, Oklahoma (304 Lakeview Ave) with his body's final resting place at the Summit View Cemetery in Guthrie, OK following the service. Visitation will be Saturday, November 29th from 2pm-4pm at Anderson-Burris Funeral Home (3002 N Van Buren St). Arrangements made by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home & Crematory.
Willie Eugene Murphey was born on October 28th, 1954, in Guthrie, OK to Willie and Frances Pruitt-Murphey. He was brought home to his two older sisters, Kathleen and Patsy and 14 months later became a "big" brother to Wayne.
As a young child he always had a tender heart. His mother asked him once, "When are you going to get saved?" He told her, when I am 10 years old. However, he once invited a neighbor girl to church and she, during the service, asked "are you saved? I know I'm not." Later that night, conviction came to his heart, and he went down to the basement where his daddy was working and with his daddy, gave his heart to the Lord.
Willie attended school in Guthrie until graduation from Guthrie High School in May of 1972. During his high school summers, he also worked for Edwin Eck during harvest time. Edwin had a daughter named Neta Marie. Neta also helped in the field driving a truck and giving harvest hands water when they came by to empty their combines. Willie got to where he never refused to take his cup of water from Neta. Friendship turned to love in 1971. Willie would catch the ladybugs in the field and told Neta they were kiss certificates. But unlike most certificates that you only redeem once, they got to redeem them almost every night during their married life. Their two hearts became one on April 13th, 1974, in Enid OK. Willie got to love his Sweetheart for almost 52 years! Two children were born to this union that were the light of their lives. Stephen Bruce in June of 1982 and Elizabeth Dawn in Aug of 1985. He loved his children, he spent time and encouraged their imaginations, supported them in their interests and added a helping hand all through his life.
After graduation, Willie worked for the Oklahoma Furniture Factory as a Quality Control Inspector until 1973. Later working for Times Journal Publishing Co. where they printed telephone directories for major phone companies. They also printed camera ready proofs for the preparation of the offset printing plates. Realizing that was a fading operation he started taking National Camera Technical Training and graduated with Highest Honors.
In 1976 Willie and Neta moved to Enid OK where Willie started working for Cliffs Camera & Video as a Photographic Equipment Technician. Willie worked there for 26 years. While there his love for photo development and astronomy grew and he enjoyed developing his own photographs. Willie had a mind that could fix about anything and he used that talent in his own home and for those around him.
In 2002 Willie answered the call to take on the Faith Publishing House work to continue the spread of the Gospel. Sharing the "Good News" in printed form until 2013. After that Willie asked the Lord what do you want me to do now? And he felt the Lord told him "Minister to those I have given thee". He continued to visit and call the isolated saints and spread God's Word.
Willie always had a burden for God's work. He was a Sunday School teacher in Enid and in Guthrie, always trying to share a story or poem that would stick with young and old minds alike. Willie loved his fellow Enid congregation family. They were very special to him and were his friends as well as his brothers and sisters, including his young friends that he cared for so much. He also enjoyed visiting his church family in Gale, making memories with friends on road trips on the way there. He touched so many lives through prayers and conversations and in many ways unknown as he truly cared for others!
Willie had a heart attack on September 22nd, 2024, but the Lord saw fit to give him one more year to love those he cared for. The year was not without pain and struggle, but he got to walk his little girl down the aisle. He got to see a nephew get married and a niece get married. He got to travel to see his son and daughter one more time. He got to share the Lord with a few more people and he got to love his wife a little longer.
Willie had the opportunity to meet a special group of people at Hospice Circle of Love. They were a blessing to him, and he enjoyed talking with Chaplain Shelby. Kelly, Stephanie, Brandi, Lynn and Donna, you were an immense help during his time of struggle. One of the final moments shared by one of his nurses was that she told her coworker that due to Willie's faith, she didn't know if she was the right fit for Willie's family even though she did believe. The other nurse said maybe he's the right fit for you. She shared some of this with him and he told her that, we have all sinned and come short, but that he would be waiting to rejoice when he sees her on the other side!
Willie passed away at home surrounded by those that loved him on November 24th, 2025.
Willie was welcomed in Heaven by his parents; Willie Murphey and Frances Pruitt Murphey, brother Kenneth Murphey and step-grandson Cody.
Left to miss him but to meet him later, is his Wife; Neta Murphey of the home in
Enid, OK,
Children; Stephen and Monica Murphey in South Carolina, Philip and Elizabeth Stephens of Oklahoma.
He will also be missed by his and Neta's siblings and their spouses. His nieces and nephews and a multitude of family and friends.
Willie loved you all, but has left to go to a better land that he wanted to meet you all in! Online condolences can be made at www.andersonburris.com.