William K. Murphy  

William (Bill) Kerr Murphy passed away Wednesday evening, November 25, 2015. He had struggled with pneumonia the last several years, but this last bout was too much for his heart and lungs to fight.

Bill was born in Pulaski County, Indiana May 6, 1914. He was preceded in death by his wife of 77 years, Wilma (100). He is survived by one daughter Jacquelin (Larry) Berger, two grandsons, Kevin (Rebecca) Berger and Korey Berger, one granddaughter, Kristine Eisenhour, and two great grandchildren, Kyanne and Kameron Eisenhour.

At 101, Bill had led a long and good life.

He graduated from Winamac High School where he met his wife Wilma (Wolfe). They were married on his birthday (so he couldn't forget their anniversary) in 1935

He taught school for a time and joked about seeing some of the students he had taught in the nursing home with him! During WWII he worked as a radio operator at Kingsbury Munitions Plant in Kingsford Heights, Indiana. That job gave him deferment from military duty, but he later gave up that deferment to join the Navy. He ran the mechanics shop in Puerto Rico repairing diesel engines on many ships that had been damaged in the war effort by U-boats. His wife got seriously ill and he was allowed to return home to care for his family with an early discharge. He ran the Shell Station in Winamac for several years before continuing his education to become an auditor doing municipal audits for the Indiana State Board of Accounts. While living in Winamac he served on the Town Board including a stint as President. Nearing retirement, he moved to Culver and had a home on the channels in Venetian Village as well as a winter home in Lakeland, FL.

Bill was a 50+ years member of the Winamac Masonic Lodge and of the Scottish Rite. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW

Bill was blessed with a long life and good health and good humor for most of it. He celebrated his 100th birthday with a party at the Culver VFW where he was doted on by friends, family and scores of acquaintances. Throughout his life, Bill never new a stranger and nearly everyone that met him left as a friend. The Director of the State Board of Accounts, as well as several field examiners, attended the event and presented Bill with a certificate signed by the governor. Bill joked that as examiners they were just there to make sure they should still be sending the pension check.

Bill spent his last days in Miller's Merry Manor in Culver where he had many residents and staff that he counted as friends.

Visitation will be noon to 2:00 pm on Monday, December 7, 2015 at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Culver with services to follow immediately in the Church at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Culver VFW or the Scottish Rite.

The Odom Funeral Home in Culver is in charge of the arrangements.

Odom Funeral Home
Plymouth Pilot
culver citizen