William “Bill” Joseph Murphy passed away quietly in his sleep at St. Joseph’s Home in Medicine Hat on March 15, 2018 following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Bill is survived by his mother, Elizabeth “Libby” Nichols; his sisters, Brenda (Michael) O’Brien, Laura (Ervin) Reinhart (and their children: Ian and Neal), Julie (Donald) Cranston (and their children: TJ and Erin), Mary Beth (Steve) Hansen (and their children: Hunter and Erika), Susanne (John) van Roessel (and their children: Logan, Quinn, and Spencer), Brenda Nichols (Paul Samuels); and dear friend, Kitty Pryde. Bill was predeceased by his father, Thomas Murphy in 1997.
Bill was born in Calgary on July 1, 1960. His three older sisters were thrilled with the arrival of a baby brother. As a toddler he kept us laughing at his many comical antics. At age five Bill took up hockey with the neighborhood boys, spending hours at the community rink. Getting him to come home for dinner was always a challenge. When the family took up skiing, Bill actively took part, but hockey remained his first love.
As a teenager, Dad and Bill tossed a football between the living and dining room, and every game night, whether it was hockey, football, or golf, Bill was a big fan and knew the statistics, scores, and standings of all the players and teams. After high school, he enrolled in SAIT's two-year Petroleum Technology program. After graduating, he moved to Bonnyville, then later to Fort McMurray, spending approximately 15 years in the oil and gas industry. Bill's love of golf led to employment at the Inglewood Golf and Curling Club. He completed the Turf Management Program at Olds College and enjoyed 8 years in his dream job where he could work and golf – not necessarily in that order.
We wish to express our gratitude to the staff and doctors at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (in particular, Doctors’ Marc Webster and Harvey Quon) and will never forget the kindness, friendship, and support provided daily by Dr. Josh Foley and the professional home care team in Medicine Hat. The outstanding compassionate care provided by Dr. Franz Jonker and nurses at Carmel Hospice in Medicine Hat will be forever appreciated.

To send flowers to the family of William Joseph "Bill" Murphy, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.