Billy Dean Murphy

Bill Murphy, son of Thomas Moore and Mayme Marie (Youngs) Murphy, was born February 18, 1929 in Norton, Kansas, and passed away at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, Kansas on November 16, 2012 at the age of 83.

Bill lived with his family in Colorado and California before moving to Selden Kansas. After graduation from high school, Bill enlisted in the US Air Force in 1948. He served at Kadena AFB on Okinawa, Japan during the Korean War serving as a radar operator on B-29 flights. Bill earned promotion to Staff Sergeant before his Honorable Discharge in 1952.

Bill married Betty Joan Friendly on November 13, 1952 in Selden. They moved to Phillipsburg in 1953 where he worked for the gas company before being hired by CRA Refinery. He worked at CRA until it closed in 1983. Bill then worked for Gary Refining in Fruita, Colorado and retired at the Conoco Refinery in Denver.

Bill was a life-member of the Myers-Hesler VFW Post #1360 in Phillipsburg. He served in numerous Post leadership positions and was a District Commander. Bill was also a member of the American Legion Post #0357 in Agra. He was involved in numerous community activities including coaching baseball, Boy Scouts, REACT, and the CB Club. Bill enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping and fishing. He was a HAM radio operator as well.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; two sons, Ron Murphy of Littleton, CO and Rod and Janice Murphy of Centennial, CO; two daughters and their spouses, Diana and Blaine Hanchett of Phillipsburg and Renee and Kevin Goodwin of Andover, NH. Also surviving are two brothers-in-law, Lyle Archer of Norton, KS and Richard Friendly & wife, Ann, of Hays, KS; a sister-in-law, Marie Murphy, also of Norton; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Keith, Jerry, and Jim Murphy; his sisters, Maxine Sulzman and Sandy Archer; sister-in-law, Nancy Murphy and brother-in-law, Norris Sulzman.
Cremation is planned. A memorial service will be held Friday, Nov. 23, at 10:30 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Joel Hiesterman officiating. Inurnment and graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the Selden Cemetery, Selden, KS.
Friends may sign his memory book on Wednesday, Nov. 21 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Hope Foundation Community Bldg. Renovation