ANDERSON - Rev. William Crate Murphy, 93, of Dobbins Bridge Road, widower of Bertha Hatcher Murphy, died Monday, February 7, 2011 at Rainey Hospice House.
Born June 30, 1917 in Anderson, he was the son of the late Charlie and Gracie Hiott Murphy. Early in his career, he worked as a farmer and was a carpenter with Mr. John Linley and Home Realty Construction Company. Rev. Murphy was a Baptist Minister, serving as Pastor at New Prospect Baptist Church Mission Church, Rock Creek Baptist Church, Toccoa, GA, Wolf Stake Baptist Church, Seneca, SC, Corinth #2 Baptist Church, Westminster, SC, Pendleton Second Baptist Church (now Faith Fellowship), Pendleton, SC, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Turnerville, GA, and Townville Baptist Church, Townville, SC. After retirement, he served as Supply Pastor and Interim Pastor at several area churches. He was a member of New Prospect Baptist Church in Anderson.
Surviving are two daughters, Betty Murphy of Anderson, and Emily Murphy Wyatt and husband, Larry of Augusta, GA; daughter-in-law, Margaret Murphy of Martin, GA; five grandchildren, Mitchell Murphy and wife, Lori, Michelle M. Ashworth and husband, Kelly, Micah Murphy and wife, Ashley, Amanda W. Pope and husband, Nathan, and Jonathan Wyatt and wife, Kristin; 11 great-grandchildren, Andrew Murphy, Ashley Crumpton, Grace, Noel, Mercy, and Caleb Ashworth, Emma, Olivia, and Corinna Pope, Josiah, Benjamin and William Wyatt; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Charles William “Billy” Murphy, a brother, Albert Murphy, and sisters, Leoline Bradberry, Savilla Murphy, Lucille Elrod, Lillie Morris, Maebelle Davis, Edna Murphy, and Charity Coker.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at New Prospect Baptist Church conducted by Dr. Tony Smith. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday at Sullivan-King Mortuary, Northeast Chapel, 3205 North Highway 81, Anderson. The family is at the home of a daughter, Betty Murphy, 1102 Green Acres, Anderson.
Memorials may be made to New Prospect Baptist Church, 2503 Whitehall Road, Anderson, SC 29625 or to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.
SULLIVAN-KING MORTUARY, NORTHEAST CHAPEL
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