Mostly Clear, 46° F
(July 19, 1935 - Oct. 2, 2011)
William Edward Murphy died in Cody on Oct. 2, 2011. He was 76.
He was born in Laramie, on July 19, 1935 to Samuel Andrew and Cleonica Helen (Hasenkamp) Murphy.
He attended schools in Laramie and graduated from Laramie High School in 1954. He also attended the University of Wyoming. He served in the U.S. Army in Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Monmouth, N.J., and Heidelberg, Germany. He married Maureen Swearingen (Johnson) on Nov. 4, 1972.
He spent many years in the business world where he owned Bill’s Radio and TV, Accurate Radio, the TraveLodge and Travel Inn Motels in Laramie, and the Malibu Motel in Port Aransas, Texas. He worked for the University of Wyoming for 26 years as an electronic technician and sound technician; he also held a Master License as an electrician. He was foreman of the electric shop at the Physical Plant at UW when he retired in 1994.
He was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church (Cody), Catholics United for Life, and the Knights of Columbus, Maurice Burke Council, Cody.
He is survived by his wife, Maureen; two grandchildren Bryson Johnson (Laramie) and Chandel Johnson (Cheyenne); and great-grandchild, Paul Kenneth Pine and their mother, Ronda Johnson (Laramie); his sister Sandra Aguilar (Salem, Ore.), sisters-in-law, LaRue (Bob) Pharoah (San Diego, Calif.), Lynne Swearingen (Laramie), Sue Swearingen (Jaspar, Ark.); brothers-in-law, Les Perkins (Laramie), Dick Schott (Laramie), Joel Swearingen (Cody); as well as 25 nieces and nephews, their spouses and children and many cousins. Also surviving are many dear friends, particularly at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Cody.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepson, Kenneth Johnson; sister, Patricia Perkins; brothers-in-law, Reynaldo Aguilar and Wendell Swearingen; sisters-in-law, Margo Schott, Kathleen Swearingen, and great nephew Matthew Kinsel.
Memorials can be made to the New Mount Carmel Foundation, P.O. Box 2507, Cody, WY 82414; Abbey of St. Walburga, 1029 Benedictine Way, Virginia Dale, CO 80536 or St. Joseph’s Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1117, Torrington, WY 82240.
A vigil for the deceased will be held at The Church of St. Anthony in Cody on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m. at The Church of St. Anthony with Fr. Vernon Clark as celebrant.
Graveside services will follow at Greenhill Cemetery in Laramie. An online guestbook is available at www.ballardfh.com.
