William Thomas Murphy, Jr.

William Thomas Murphy, Jr., 88, of Forest died Tuesday, April 7, 2020.  He was the husband of Marie Kenefick Murphy.  He was born on October 9, 1931 in Washington, D.C. to the late William T. Murphy and Dorothy A. Murphy.  He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Patricia Murphy, a son William Patrick Murphy, three sisters, Mary Merrill, Annette O’Brien, and Kathleen Murphy, and a brother, James J. Murphy.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters and two sons, Diane A. Murphy of Louisburg, NC, Thomas J. Murphy of Virginia Beach, VA, Karen M. Murphy of New Castle, CO, and Kevin J. Murphy and wife, Susan, of Newport News, VA;  one granddaughter and nine grandsons, Chelsea (Scott) Schneier, Derek (Jenna) McGuire of Colorado, and Dylan (Raya) McGuire of Iowa, Daniel and Joseph Murphy of North Carolina, Christian Murphy, Connor Murphy, Caleb Murphy, Lucas Murphy, and Theo Murphy of Virginia;  five great-grandchildren;  and two sisters, Patricia Mackey of Florida and Marjorie Barnard of Maryland.
On September 12, 1953 he was joined in marriage to the former Marie Therese Kenefick at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Utica, NY.
He joined the General Electric Co. in Utica, NY in 1951.  After service in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956, he returned to Utica and GE.  He and his wife and family moved to Lynchburg with GE in 1959 and remained in their employment and with Ericsson-GE until his retirement in 1993.  He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Msgr. J. Kenneth Rush officiating at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.  Please note that funeral home staff will assist in maintaining social-distancing guidelines in the cemetery.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Memorials may be made to the Holy Cross JOY fund or to a charity of your choice.
Tharpe Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.  To send condolences, please visit tharpfuneralhom.com