Born on May 21, 1915, in Lynn, Mass., he prepared for college at Lynn Classical High School and Governor Dummer Academy. In the time he attended Bowdoin, he played baseball and football and was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity; he also attended the College of William and Mary. He worked for many car dealerships during his career, retiring in 1989. He was a member of Lake Sunapee Country Club, Salem Country Club,Tedesco Country Club, and the Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead, Mass. He was a scratch golfer and earned the title of club champion at Tedesco in 1949 and 1957. His wife of 45 years, Mae J. (Karlson) Murphy, died in 1991. He is survived by two sons,William K. Murphy of Easton, Penn., and Robert H. Murphy of Georges Mills, N.D.; a daughter, Susan J. Burke of Hancock, N.H.; three grandsons; one niece; and one nephew.