William (Billy) F. Murphy passed peacefully from this life on Oct 22, 2021. He was husband of the late Mary D.(Swain) Murphy. There was gratitude but no surprise to watch him so peacefully pass, as that is the man we have always known: gentle and kind, never wanting to make things any more difficult than necessary for those he loved.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island to the late Viola A. (Murphy) Oliver, Billy spent most of his childhood in Fairhaven and Natick. He first went commercial fishing at age 16. He loved to share stories of his fishing days (and anyone who met him knows the man could spin a story), and the one that amused people the most was his surviving two ship sinkings, one right after the other! He served honorably in the Marines from 1954-1957 before returning to fishing, in the family tradition; he would continue to fish for the next 40 years, primarily with the Fairhaven and New Bedford fleets.
Bill was an avid lifelong reader, with interests ranging from history, religion and archeology to science and space. He truly loved to learn things and then share them with anyone who cared to sit for a moment and enjoy some time with him. His greatest joy was baseball and he had the ability to quote an unending number of statistics and stories. He and Mary even sponsored a Little League baseball team for years, something they both enjoyed immensely. In 1978 he enrolled in a pilot remote education program at BCC and by studying on the boat and listening to taped audio lectures, he graduated with honors. He remained engaged and curious his entire life.
Survivors include his daughter Kathleen H. Santos of Acushnet, a son Shawn J. Murphy of Fairhaven and his granddaughter Grace Mary also of Acushnet. He is also survived by his brother Kenneth Oliver and his wife Linda of Florida; his sister Dorene Riggs of Florida and his late sister Juanita Chandley of Florida. He was beloved “Uncle Billy” to numerous nieces and nephews who will remember him for his gentle disposition and perpetual smile.
Bill spent his last few months at Care One of New Bedford and his family will be forever grateful to the nurses, aides and entire staff there for their capable professionalism and kindness, and for filling Bill’s days with comfort and smiles.
While funeral arrangements are private, there will be a Celebration of Life for Bill at a future time still to be determined. He will be remembered fondly and missed greatly by many.
Love you brother ❣️❣️