William Murphy

William Archie Murphy, 79, of Tyler, fought a courageous battle with cancer over the last 10 years, but was called home on Feb. 26, 2008. He was born on Dec. 6, 1928, in El Dorado, Arkansas to Archie & Birdie Murphy. He graduated from El Dorado High School, attended Davidson College in North Carolina, and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Bill loved the Lord and was a member of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, where he taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. Bill loved people and lived life to the fullest. He had his trust in Jesus, so he was not afraid to die. He worked hard and played hard. He, along with his family members, originally owned Broadway Furniture Company, and later Murphy's Furniture Gallery. He loved playing golf and being at Willowbrook Country Club with friends, and usually accepted any invitation to join friends in having fun. He always kept up on current events & enjoyed playing the stock market. Family & friends alike enjoyed his quick wit and sense of humor. He won the respect of his family, as well as many friends, associates, and former customers. Bill was a Past President of Willowbrook Country Club, a member of National Furnishings Association, Shoot and Slice Club, and a charter member of The Opus Cup. Bill is survived by his wife, Cleone of Tyler; his sons, William Scott Murphy and wife Marion, of Dalian, China, and Don Michael Murphy and wife Pam, of Tyler; his daughter Kelly Murphy Hodge and husband Gary, of Tyler; "Dadoo's" nine grandchildren Daniel Murphy of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Taylor Hodge of Austin, Matthew Murphy and wife Katie of Nashville, Tennessee, Nicole Murphy of Dallas, Clay Hodge of College Station, Ryan Murphy of Houston, Carly Hodge of Ft. Worth, Carson Murphy of Nashville, Tennessee, and Lacey Murphy of Dalian, China; his sister Ruth Wilson and her husband John of Tyler; as well as many nieces and nephews. The family would like to give special thanks to Bill's caregivers, Alisa Blacknall, Bessie Nelson, Lorine Payne, Lee Reese, Sharon Richard, and Jessie Whitaker, for their professional, tender care. There is also gratitude for his doctors and their staff for all the care given him over the years. They also want to express appreciation for all those who have visited him and his wife where they were able to live together at home in their later years. His commitment to his marriage was not only a good model to all, but resulted in their mutual increasing love to the end. A visitation for Bill will be held on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008. from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home on Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler. Interment will be held on Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, at 10 a.m. at Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery on South Broadway in Tyler. A memorial service celebrating Bill's life will follow at 11 a.m. at Green Acres Baptist Church chapel in Tyler. Pastor Paul Powell will officiate. Pallbearers will be grandsons. As Bill loved Pine Cove's Christian camping ministry, if desired, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Pine Cove, P.O. Box 9055, Tyler, Texas, 75711. Arrangements are entrusted to Stewart Family Funeral Home of Tyler, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, Tyler, Texas 75703.

William Murphy

December 6, 1928 - February 26, 2008