Willie B. "Jack" Murphy

Willie B. "Jack" Murphy was born July 31, 1938 in the Salem area to Willie B. Murphy, Sr. and Mollie Ann McNac. He passed away at his home in Salem on February 20, 2021. Heritage Hospice services allowed him to spend his last few weeks at home with his wife Karen and his grandchildren Thomas and Anjaila Poole.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father Alfred Washington; sisters Peggy Ford, Rena Washington, Helena Hicks; brothers Alfred Washington, Jr, Roy Washington; and daughters Cheryl Murphy and Anne Marie Murphy. He is survived by his wife Karen (Yaugher) Murphy; brothers Toy Washington, Henry Washington, Tony Murphy, James Murphy, and Max Murphy; sisters Doretha Lucas, Sallie Doakes, Doris Scarlett, Kai Sami, Pauletta Murphy Glenda Murphy, Josephine Caldwell, Doris N. Washington, Bertha Washington, and Rita Romero; sons Melvin Murphy and Willie B. Murphy III; daughters Erma McBride, Pat Thomas and Rhonda Smith; step-sons David Baker and John Baker.
Willie was raised in the Henryetta/Salem area where he started school at the Murphy School ( which was named for his grandfather Jim Murphy, who was the school custodian). His family moved to Clinton while he was very young, He graduated Excelsior High School in 1955 and entered the Air Force in January, 1956. He retired after 20 years of service in 1976. He was a radio repairman and spent much of his Air Force career in the Near East. He did three tours of duty in Vietnam. After retiring from the Air Force, he was hired by Pacific Bell in Sacramento, California as a Communications Technician and retired from the phone company in 1998 after 20 years of service. Upon retiring, he returned to live out his remaining years in the Salem area. He enjoyed fishing, attending church, reading his Bible, and puttering in the yard. He liked to crack pecans while watching TV. His favorite pastime was visiting with family and friends and swapping stories of their younger days. He was a member of the Deer Clan of the Creek Nation.
Willie accepted Christ as his Savior at a early age. He was a member of Salem Baptist Church and until he entered the VA nursing home, he truly missed attending services when the Covid pandemic hit and caused services to be canceled.
Willie often spoke of his final wishes and made it clear to his family and friends that he didn't want to have friends and family travel distances to his funeral. He asked to be cremated and notify people of his death and tell them to think fondly of him.
Arrangements under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service, 410 East Trudgeon, Henryetta, Oklahoma
No services are planned.

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