William Oscar MURPHY

1919 - 2018

MURPHY,
William Oscar

William Oscar Murphy passed peacefully in Spokane on January 13, 2018, two days shy of being 99 years old. Bill, as he was called, was born on January 15, 1919 in Spokane to William Oscar Murphy, Sr., and Hilda, his wife. Bill attended Franklin Elementary and Lewis and
Clark High School, forming a partnership with his older brother, Thornton C. Murphy, for Murphy Bros. Construction, upon graduation. "We move the earth" was their motto. On December 8, 1941, Bill volunteered for the Army Air Force, where he was chosen to be a mechanics instructor. He met his future wife Naomi Carrell Feldt in Chicago March, 1942, before he shipped to the Philippines. Bill and Naomi corresponded regularly during the war. When Bill returned, they married. They lived in Victory Heights Army barracks in Spokane, next door to Naomi's sister Dell and her husband, Doug McAninch, Bill's buddy from the service. After the war Bill and Thornton grew Murphy Bros. to be, at one time, one of the 100 largest construction companies in the U.S. He was also the first president of the Inland Northwest chapter of the Associated General Contractors. Bill and Naomi had four children, Carol Ellis, Sheryl Langhofer, George Murphy, and William Murphy, three of whom live in Spokane today, Sheryl in Ashland. Bill's wife Naomi preceded him in death. Seven grandchildren survive them. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Morning Star Foundation, which Bill and Thornton supported all their lives, at P.O. Box 31330, Spokane, WA. 99223. Hennessey Funeral Home, N. 2203 Division, is in charge of arrangements. A Memorial Service will be held there at 10 am on Saturday, January 27th. A private interment with family will follow.