Willie B. "Jack" Murphy was born July 31, 1938 in the Salem area to Willie B. Murphy, Sr. and Mollie Ann McNac. He died at his home in Salem Feb. 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.
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 Viet Nam, 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. He was a member of the Deer Clan of the Creek Nation. He was a member of Salem Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father Alfred Washington; sisters Peggy Ford, Reinier 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 and Glenda Murphy; sons: Melvin Murphy and Willie B. Murphy III; daughters: Erma McBride, Pat Thomas and Rhonda Smith; step-sons David Baker and John Baker.
Arrangements under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service, 410 East Trudgeon, Henryertta, Oklahoma
No services are planned.