William (Bill) Murphy, of Camden, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2022 at the Sussman House at age 94. He was born in 1928 in Rahway, New Jersey, the fifth among six children of Theodora (Doris) Moeller and Thomas Murphy.

Raised in New Jersey, he graduated from Kearny High School in 1945 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves. While awaiting eligibility for active service at age 18, he attended Clemson University in South Carolina where his brother was stationed. After the enlistment age was lowered to 17, he joined the Army and served in Germany as a battalion Personnel Sergeant in the Army of Occupation in Nuremberg and Munich.

Bill married Mary Hoyt Timmerman, of Pelzer, South Carolina in 1955. They were married until her death in September 2021.

After military service, Bill completed his education at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, graduating in 1950. He worked as a placement officer for the Newark Colleges of Rutgers for three years before joining Tung-Sol Electric, of Newark, New Jersey, as a personnel assistant. He spent his career at the company, which expanded through various acquisitions. At his retirement in 1987, he was vice president of human resources for the Wagner division of Cooper Industries.

In retirement Bill and his wife moved to Maine where he enjoyed gardening, woodworking, home improvements, the bowling team at the former YMCA, Monday poker, Thursday bridge and staying active. He and his wife made real estate an investment and a hobby, buying, sprucing up and selling more than a dozen houses in their 66 years together. They loved to travel and stay involved in the lives of their children and four grandchildren.

Music and dancing were also a big part of their lives. He was a very good dancer and his wife often commented that he made her look good. Together they enjoyed Maine’s local jazz scene. Bill held leadership roles in the Down East Jazz Society and was a devoted fan of the local group, All That Jazz.

Bill was active in the John St. Methodist Church in Camden where he served as Chair of the Church and Society committee which helped lead the effort for the John St. Methodist to become one of the first reconciling churches in Maine seeking the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in both the policy and practices. Through church he also served several years on the board of the local food pantry.

In the years when his wife’s health began to fail, he was a devoted caretaker. Mr. Murphy was always a gentleman, grateful and considerate. He was devoted to his family and adored by his immediate and extended family members. He was the last surviving member of his generation in his family.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Mary T. Murphy; his parents and five siblings.

He is survived by his son, James Timmerman (Tim) Murphy of West Palm Beach Florida and Shelter Island, New York and his partner, Brenda Cronin; his daughters Mary Marguerite (Margo) Murphy of Rockport, Maine and Melissa Murphy and her spouse Elizabeth Ross of Philo, California; his grandchildren Mary Caitlin Parks, Isabel Murphy, James Murphy, and William Parks.

He also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, in-laws including Alexandra Hahn and several very dear friends.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, October 29, at 2 p.m., at the John St. Methodist Church, 98 John St., in Camden, Maine. A reception will follow.

If anyone wishes to make a donation in memory of Bill, in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Maine Health Care at Home and the Sussman House, at 40 Anchor Dr., Rockport, ME 04856. The family greatly appreciates the care and support that was provided by this organization.

Final arrangements were assisted by Direct Cremation of Maine, Belfast.