In Memory Of
William Maurice Murphy
1927
2018
William Maurice Murphy
December 9, 1927 — June 17, 2018
William Maurice Murphy
December 9, 1927 – June 17, 2018
------------------
William (Bill) Murphy, age 90, passed away peacefully June 17, Father's Day, in his home at The Meridian in Boulder, Colorado. Bill and his wife Mary Susan (Sue) Murphy lived in Broomfield from 1961 to 2013, and then moved to Boulder. Upon hearing of his passing, one friend said, "he was truly a gentleman's gentleman."
If you knew Bill, or ever even just met Bill, it is likely you will agree with that statement. A true gentleman, his genuine interest in others showed through as he would engage in conversation about your life, and love learning your story. He earned some nicknames around town, back in the day as "Broomfield's Dick Lamm" (former governor), and also "the Dick Clark of Broomfield," referring to his unchanging good looks, his cordial manner, and his ability to "work a room." He was never at a loss for words, and he always had a ready smile to share.
Bill was the fourth of four sons born to Robert Joseph Murphy and Mary (Mae) Victoria Obrecht in Chillicothe, Missouri. His nicknames started young, with each of the boys nicknaming each other. In what may seem unkind terms, these names were always recalled with mutual respect for each other, and mutual grins: Oldest brother Bob was called "Fofo," then Paul as "Hot Head" from Borneo. Next was Jack, known as "Four Eyes". Then Baby brother Billy was called "Big-Head-Little-Fat-Stomach."
Those of you who know any of these brothers can imagine the antics these four boys (born within five years of each other!) must have put their parents through!
During High School, Bill intently followed World War II and marked a world map on his bedroom wall with thumbtacks to track US efforts and the whereabouts of his two older brothers, Bob and Paul, both serving in the navy. In June, 1945, at the age of 17, Bill graduated from Chillicothe High School. By way of a test he took in High School, he qualified for the Army Specialized Reserve Training Program (ASTRP), which took him to South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, Fall of 1945. In the Spring of 1946 he transferred to Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, MO, where he was roommates with brother Paul. While in the army, Bill earned the rank of Master Sergeant, and he was offered to train to become an officer.
Instead, with the help of the GI Bill, he transferred to the University of Colorado, Boulder, following his Chillicothe High School sweetheart, Mary Susan (Sue) Glick. The two graduated from CU in June 1950, with Bill earning his Mechanical Engineering degree, and Sue earning her Physical Education degree with an emphasis in Dance. Two months later, August 24, 1950, they were married back in their hometown, Chillicothe, MO.
Bill's first career mechanical engineering job was at Gates Rubber Company, and then at Joy and Cox, both in Denver. Reflecting upon his Joy and Cox job, he said, "If I would have known it was also a sales job, I never would have walked in the door to apply." It came to be that he was as gifted at sales as he was in engineering solutions. In 1965, with four kids at home, he took the leap and started his own business, W.M. Murphy & Company, in the den of his Broomfield home. As the business grew, it relocated in Denver and then Arvada, CO. As a Manufacturer's Representative for engineered industrial products, he and his staff covered 5 western states, providing engineering solutions to a variety of large and small industries. In 1975, Bill's brother Paul moved to Broomfield and joined the company as a Salesman. Bill enjoyed having his brother nearby and on board.
In 1982, at the age of 55, Bill sold his business and happily retired a young man. He enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling. Some family travels included domestic destinations, Hawaii, Mexico, Belize, the Cayman Islands, Virgin Islands, and his father's homeland, Ireland.
Bill also adored spending time at his second home in Estes Park, CO, near Sue's beloved parents, John Henry (Heinie) and Beulah Glick, also originally from Chillicothe. Many of you may know how proud Bill was of this home, located on the Big Thompson River. He would often comment on how grateful he was, that "this boy, all the way from Missouri, is able to have a home in a setting like this." The back deck, overlooking the beautiful river, remained a favorite place. Numerous other family members and friends, many from Missouri, also reside or resided full or part-time in Estes, including brother Paul and his wife Mary Lou. Many, many happy memories were made here.
Bill and Sue had three sons and a daughter: Mike, John, Gary and Jamie, all raised in Denver first, then Broomfield, CO, and all currently living in Colorado.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Susan (Sue) Murphy; his brother Bob Murphy; his sons Mike, John (Mary), Gary, and daughter Jamie (Mark) Fetkewicz; Grandchildren: Jennifer Murphy, Eric (Rhonda) Murphy, Gary Cundall, Devin (Caiti) Murphy, Jenna (John) Murphy, David Fetkewicz, Juliana Fetkewicz; Step-grandchildren: Tiffany Drake, Mackenzie (Ben) Turrill; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
His service will be at Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church, 900 West Midway Boulevard, Broomfield on Thursday, July 12, 2018. Recitation of the Rosary 10:00, funeral mass 10:30, luncheon and sharing following mass, and interment at Lakeview cemetery, East 10th Avenue and Beryl Street, near Broomfield High School, and just down the street from the Murphy's long-term Broomfield home.
Memorial donations may be offered to the Broomfield Veteran's Museum.
December 9, 1927 – June 17, 2018
------------------
William (Bill) Murphy, age 90, passed away peacefully June 17, Father's Day, in his home at The Meridian in Boulder, Colorado. Bill and his wife Mary Susan (Sue) Murphy lived in Broomfield from 1961 to 2013, and then moved to Boulder. Upon hearing of his passing, one friend said, "he was truly a gentleman's gentleman."
If you knew Bill, or ever even just met Bill, it is likely you will agree with that statement. A true gentleman, his genuine interest in others showed through as he would engage in conversation about your life, and love learning your story. He earned some nicknames around town, back in the day as "Broomfield's Dick Lamm" (former governor), and also "the Dick Clark of Broomfield," referring to his unchanging good looks, his cordial manner, and his ability to "work a room." He was never at a loss for words, and he always had a ready smile to share.
Bill was the fourth of four sons born to Robert Joseph Murphy and Mary (Mae) Victoria Obrecht in Chillicothe, Missouri. His nicknames started young, with each of the boys nicknaming each other. In what may seem unkind terms, these names were always recalled with mutual respect for each other, and mutual grins: Oldest brother Bob was called "Fofo," then Paul as "Hot Head" from Borneo. Next was Jack, known as "Four Eyes". Then Baby brother Billy was called "Big-Head-Little-Fat-Stomach."
Those of you who know any of these brothers can imagine the antics these four boys (born within five years of each other!) must have put their parents through!
During High School, Bill intently followed World War II and marked a world map on his bedroom wall with thumbtacks to track US efforts and the whereabouts of his two older brothers, Bob and Paul, both serving in the navy. In June, 1945, at the age of 17, Bill graduated from Chillicothe High School. By way of a test he took in High School, he qualified for the Army Specialized Reserve Training Program (ASTRP), which took him to South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, Fall of 1945. In the Spring of 1946 he transferred to Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, MO, where he was roommates with brother Paul. While in the army, Bill earned the rank of Master Sergeant, and he was offered to train to become an officer.
Instead, with the help of the GI Bill, he transferred to the University of Colorado, Boulder, following his Chillicothe High School sweetheart, Mary Susan (Sue) Glick. The two graduated from CU in June 1950, with Bill earning his Mechanical Engineering degree, and Sue earning her Physical Education degree with an emphasis in Dance. Two months later, August 24, 1950, they were married back in their hometown, Chillicothe, MO.
Bill's first career mechanical engineering job was at Gates Rubber Company, and then at Joy and Cox, both in Denver. Reflecting upon his Joy and Cox job, he said, "If I would have known it was also a sales job, I never would have walked in the door to apply." It came to be that he was as gifted at sales as he was in engineering solutions. In 1965, with four kids at home, he took the leap and started his own business, W.M. Murphy & Company, in the den of his Broomfield home. As the business grew, it relocated in Denver and then Arvada, CO. As a Manufacturer's Representative for engineered industrial products, he and his staff covered 5 western states, providing engineering solutions to a variety of large and small industries. In 1975, Bill's brother Paul moved to Broomfield and joined the company as a Salesman. Bill enjoyed having his brother nearby and on board.
In 1982, at the age of 55, Bill sold his business and happily retired a young man. He enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling. Some family travels included domestic destinations, Hawaii, Mexico, Belize, the Cayman Islands, Virgin Islands, and his father's homeland, Ireland.
Bill also adored spending time at his second home in Estes Park, CO, near Sue's beloved parents, John Henry (Heinie) and Beulah Glick, also originally from Chillicothe. Many of you may know how proud Bill was of this home, located on the Big Thompson River. He would often comment on how grateful he was, that "this boy, all the way from Missouri, is able to have a home in a setting like this." The back deck, overlooking the beautiful river, remained a favorite place. Numerous other family members and friends, many from Missouri, also reside or resided full or part-time in Estes, including brother Paul and his wife Mary Lou. Many, many happy memories were made here.
Bill and Sue had three sons and a daughter: Mike, John, Gary and Jamie, all raised in Denver first, then Broomfield, CO, and all currently living in Colorado.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Susan (Sue) Murphy; his brother Bob Murphy; his sons Mike, John (Mary), Gary, and daughter Jamie (Mark) Fetkewicz; Grandchildren: Jennifer Murphy, Eric (Rhonda) Murphy, Gary Cundall, Devin (Caiti) Murphy, Jenna (John) Murphy, David Fetkewicz, Juliana Fetkewicz; Step-grandchildren: Tiffany Drake, Mackenzie (Ben) Turrill; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
His service will be at Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church, 900 West Midway Boulevard, Broomfield on Thursday, July 12, 2018. Recitation of the Rosary 10:00, funeral mass 10:30, luncheon and sharing following mass, and interment at Lakeview cemetery, East 10th Avenue and Beryl Street, near Broomfield High School, and just down the street from the Murphy's long-term Broomfield home.
Memorial donations may be offered to the Broomfield Veteran's Museum.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Maurice Murphy, please visit our flower store.
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