Obituary of William Murphy

William E. Murphy, 89, of Lemont, died Thursday, March 7, 2013, at the Fairways at Brookline Village in State College. Born November 24, 1923, in Sugar Loaf, he was the son of the late Leland and Emma Phile Murphy. He married Jane Barbara Heldrich, who died in 2006, leaving a huge void in his life. He is survived by one son, Lee Murphy and his wife, Susan, of Spring City, a son in law, Thomas Czajkowski, of State College and five grandchildren, Nicholas, James, Jonathan, Erin and Meghan. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Tina J. Czajkowski and one half-sister, Margaret. Bill grew up on a small farm, helping with manual labor and mechanical repairs. The chickens they raised supplemented his father's salary as a mechanic. Bill and his "Pop" frequently spent weekends overhauling car engines for neighbors and friends. It was here that he learned the value of hard work, family, friends and ingenuity. Bill was a smart lad and took college-level electronics training in Philadelphia. He enlisted in the U. S. Army Signal Corps, and was on Guam in the Pacific when WWII ended. After the war he worked for the U.S. Department of Defense as a quality control inspector where he made sure that materials produced by contractors were made according to specification. In his words he "inspected everything from shirts to top-secret electronics." He took a transfer to State College in 1960 because he thought it would be a good place to raise his family. He and his son built their house in 1972-1974. Bill retired in1982. Bill was an expert photographer, capable of developing and enlarging his pictures. He showed an artistic side in his photography; his specialty was beautiful flowers. Bill and Jane's retirement years were spent caring for Jane's mother and Bill's sister, being good neighbors, visiting the sick and helping their son with his house. Their daughter moved back in with her four small children. Bill and Jane cared for them while their daughter worked. Bill was proud of his association with his church, St. Paul's United Methodist Church in State College, where he served many years as an usher. He was a hunter and fisherman, and a handyman who got the work done on his honey-do list. He was an adult leader in Boy Scout Troop 31, and completed a 75-mile backpacking trip at Philmont Scout Reservation in 1969. Bill spent his last years at Brookline in State College where he received excellent support from a caring staff. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family. Visitation will be 6 until 8 p.m., on Monday, March 11, 2013, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton St. State College, PA 16801. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Spring Creek Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.