Bill McMurphy

Funeral services for Bill McMurphy will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 20, 2024, at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with Rev. Drew Kirtley officiating. Interment will follow in the Alva Municipal Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home. There will be a visitation with family present from 4-6 p.m. Friday at Marshall Funeral Home. Billie Eldon McMurphy, son of the late Denver Harmon and Mary Louise (Shreeve) McMurphy, was born June 19, 1936 at Farry, Oklahoma, and passed away January 14, 2024, at the age of 87 years, 6 months, and 25 days surrounded by family. Bill was raised in the small farming community of Farry where he attended Farry School and graduated with the Bulldog Class of 1954. He grew up playing multiple sports and excelled at baseball. He then attended Northwestern Oklahoma State College. In 1955, he met the love of his life, Elma Ruth Rose while working as a cement mixer for Elma’s father’s company, Rose Brothers Construction. Bill and Elma were united in marriage in 1957 at the First Christian Church in Alva. To this union two sons were born: Craig and Curt. Bill and Elma built a wonderful life together, spending their early years never missing their boys’ sporting events. Bill was an attentive and patient father who instilled his strong work ethic into his boys. Bill had a passion for cars and worked as a Parts Manager and General Manager for multiple car dealerships in and around Alva. From this career, many friendships were formed. Bill never met a stranger and made everyone that he met feel like they were his best friend. He was always available to open the parts department after hours if he could help someone out. Many have attributed his professional success to his honesty and integrity. After retiring, he enjoyed his upholstery business and having coffee with the guys. Bill enjoyed motorcycle trips with the gang (sometimes taking Elma along), going to concerts, attending Ranger sports, rodeos and country western dancing. He was the greatest supporter of his family, rarely missing an opportunity to watch his grandchildren perform or compete. He was a past member of the Elks and the Moose Lodge. In addition to his parents, Denver and Mary, Bill was preceded in death by four sisters-in-law, Rita McMurphy, Devona McMurphy, Marna Finney, and Afton Nichols; and a nephew, Allen McMurphy. Bill is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elma McMurphy of Alva; two sons, Craig McMurphy of Tulsa and Curt McMurphy and wife, Megan, of Edmond; four grandchildren, Kacie Urbeck and husband, Kevin, of Winfield, Missouri, Ryan McMurphy and wife, Nora, of Boston, Massachusetts, Cole McMurphy and Will McMurphy of Edmond; a brother, Robert McMurphy of Alva; and a sister, Thelma Crouch and her husband, Allen J, of Alva; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many, many friends. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the J.R. Holder Wellness Center at Northwestern or the Preston Hill Cemetery(in the Farry community).

Bill McMurphy

June 19, 1936 - January 14, 2024