William F. Murphy (Bill), 92, passed away Saturday, August 10 in Sioux City with his wife, Joyce and his six children by his side.

Services 11 am Wednesday at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Ave. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery with Military Honors by the US Navy. Visitation 5-7 pm Tuesday with a Prayer Service at 7 pm.

Bill was born in Sioux City on April 22, 1927 to John Samuel Murphy and Bernice (Stukonis) Murphy.    Bill graduated from East High School in 1945 and went on to serve in the US Navy. He served on the Battleship USS New Jersey, sister ship of the USS Iowa, in San Francisco for 16 months after high school.  He attended the University of South Dakota on the GI bill after serving his country honorably.

Bill was an outstanding athlete in football, basketball and track while attending East High School and was the first recipient of the most outstanding football player by the Greater Sioux City Athletic Association in 1944 for ability and sportsmanship. Bill served on the Sioux City Little League board of directors and coached for 23 years. He was instrumental in the construction of the Pulaski Little League Park.

As a brick mason, he was a lifetime member of the Sioux City Local # 5 bricklayers’ union and he received a gold pin as an honor.  He worked for several local contractors and started Murphy Masonry with his son Tom in 1974. Bill retired in 1992.  Upon retirement he and Joyce built their own brick home and enjoyed fishing on the Minnewashta canal in Arnold Parks, Iowa until returning to Sioux City in 2015 to be closer to family. He and Joyce enjoyed their children, 19 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren in all of their endeavors.

Joyce Lee (Wegher) Murphy and Bill were united in marriage on December 27, 1947 at Immaculate Conception Church and enjoyed 72 years of marriage.  Survivors include wife Joyce Murphy (Wegher) W. Patrick Murphy, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sandi Hansen (Dave), Omaha, Nebraska, Tom Murphy, (Janet) Sioux City, Iowa, John Murphy, (Lisa),Sioux City, Iowa, Jim Murphy, (Sue), Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Kelli Tuttle, (Joe),Sioux City, Iowa, 19 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren and one niece Ginny Sigler.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, Bea Meloy, John Paul Murphy, a daughter in law, Marsha Murphy, a nephew, Paul Meloy, a great grandson Joseph Michael Herrig, one great, great granddaughter, Huxley Jean Kudlock.