William (Bill) Kerr Murphy, 101, passed away Wednesday evening, Nov. 25, 2015. He had struggled with pneumonia the last several years, but this last bout was too much for his heart and lungs to fight.

Bill was born in Pulaski County on May 6, 1914. He was preceded in death by his wife of 77 years: Wilma, who died at 100. He is survived by one daughter: Jacqueline (Larry) Berger; two grandsons: Kevin (Rebecca) Berger; Korey Berger; one granddaughter: Kristine Eisenhour; and two great-grandchildren: Kyanne and Kameron Eisenhour.

At 101, Bill had led a long and good life. He graduated from Winamac High School where he met his wife, Wilma (Wolfe). They were married on his birthday, so he couldn’t forget their anniversary, in 1935. He taught school for a time and joked about seeing some of the students he had taught in the nursing home with him. During WWII, he worked as a radio operator at Kingsbury Munitions Plant, in Kingsford Heights. That job gave him deferment from military duty, but he later gave up that deferment to join the Navy. He ran the mechanics shop in Puerto Rico, repairing diesel engines on many ships that had been damaged in the war effort by U-Boats.

His wife became seriously ill, and he was allowed to return home to care for his family with an early discharge. He ran the Shell Station in Winamac for several years before continuing his education to become an auditor doing municipal audits for the Indiana State Board of Accounts. While living in Winamac, he served on the town board, including a stint as president.

Nearing retirement, he moved to Culver and had a home on the channels Venetial Village as well as a winter home in Lakeland, Fla. Bill was a 50 plus year member of the Winamac Masonic Lodge and of the Scottish Rite. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW.

Bill was blessed with a long life and good health and good humor for most of it. He celebrated his 100th birthday with a party at the Culver VFW where he was doted on by friends, family, and scores of acquaintances. Through his life, Bill never knew a stranger and everyone that met him left as a friend. The Director of the State Board of Accounts, as well as several field examiners, attended the event and presented Bill with a certificate signed by the governor. Bill joked that as examiners they were just there to make sure they should still be sending the pension check.

Bill spent his last days in Miller’s Merry Manor, Culver, where he had many residents and staff that he counted as friends.

Visitation will be from noon until 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, at the Wesley United Methodist Church, Culver, with services to follow at 2 p.m. immediately in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Culver VFW or the Scottish Rite. The Odom Funeral Home in Culver is in charge of the arrangements.