William Souter Murphy

William Souter Murphy, 91, of Laurel Hill Road, Milan, PA, passed away on December 5, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family.

He was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Beverly Yvonne Criswell Murphy (October 18, 2023).

William was born November 2, 1932 in Williamsport, PA, to William and Isabel Souter Murphy.

William known as Bill was a graduate of the Scotland School for Veterans Children, Chambersburg, PA in 1951. He lettered in three sports and played in the band. He was a graduate of the former Williamsport Technical Institute with a degree in Tool Design. He was employed by the Ingersoll Rand in Athens, PA. He was a member of the Ingersoll Rand rifle and pistol team and taught many hours of rifle and pistol safety classes. Bill taught night classes at the Williamsport Technical Institute in numerical control for several semesters. He worked for the Dresser Rand, Painted Post, NY, for 33 years where he retired as a Manager of Plant and Project Engineering.

Bill was a proud Marine and always held the time he served in the Corp dear to his heart and took seriously the Marine Motto, “Semper Fi” (Always Faithful). He joined the Marines in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1955. He was assigned to the 7th Engineering Division in Camp Pendleton, California.

He was a Mason and Past Master of Rural Amity Lodge #70, Athens, PA, which he belonged to for over 60 years.

In his spare time, he raised livestock and made hay for his cows and his daughters’ horses and ponies. After retirement, he kept busy with many construction projects such as his workshop, hunting cabin, his daughters’ houses, barns, garages, etc. If anyone needed help, he was there.

Bill enjoyed working in his workshop and time spent in the woods. He and Bev spent many hours at the cabin on Laurel Hill, where he would tinker around and she would hike in the woods with her dogs. During hunting season, he’d be there with the boys (Denis Strong and Doug Williams). He was also a member of the family hunting cabin, “The Lucky Eleven” on the Jacoby Mountain, Lycoming County, PA for over 65 years. Bill enjoyed relaxing at the family cottage on

Seneca Lake with family and friends.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Bonnie Bryan, Sayre, PA, Kathy Murphy-Strong (Denis), Sayre, PA, Jeannie Murphy, Milan, PA, and Patti Murphy, Gillett, PA, grandson Will Bryan, Canton, PA, brother Joseph Bud Murphy (Bessie), Nesbit, PA, sister-in-law Patricia Criswell Karge, Montoursville, PA, several nieces and nephews, his beloved dog, Misty, many members of the Mason Lodge and best friends, Tom Eck and Bill Gleeson.

Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Ann Murphy, sister-in-law, A. Jean Stine, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, C. Dale and Angie Criswell, brother-in-law Harold Karge, nephew, Skip Stine, and best friend, Duane Chapman.

The family wishes to thank the Sayre VA, Amy Welsh, PA-C, Crystal Wiles LPN, Jennifer Patituce RN MSN and the Guthrie Hospice team for all their love and support through this difficult time.

A celebration of life will be announced at a future date. The family is being assisted by Lowery-Urban Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Athens, PA.

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