William "Bill" J. Murphy, Jr. of Lawrence, MA and more recently Simsbury, CT passed away peacefully on Monday October 2nd , 2023 at the age of 77.
Bill was born on June 12, 1946 in Lawrence, MA to father William J. Murphy, Sr. and mother Laura Murphy.
He is survived by his children Laura Murphy of North Andover, his son Brian Murphy; his wife Alison of South Grafton, MA , and his youngest son William "Will" Murphy; wife Grace Murphy of Haverhill, MA. He had 5 grandchildren whom he loved very much, Madison, Kaidan, Liam, Quinn and Sawyer Murphy as well as his ex-wife Sara Murphy. His brothers Joseph and wife Noreen, James and wife Maureen and sister Margaret Murphy and a longtime companion Susan Mulak.
Bill served in the Army from March 1967 to October 1968. He worked as the garden center manager for McLay’s Florist and Garden Center in North Andover, MA for 35 years before starting his own local landscaping service. He certainly had a green thumb and worked hard to make sure that the grass was always green and the trees were always blooming bright! He loved all things automotive and had a special passion for building and displaying model cars. He was part of the local area model car club. His community involvement continued as a long standing member and former local chapter President of the Lion’s Club organization. He was always the first to volunteer his time for all of the fundraising events that the Lion’s Club help each year.
Calling hours will held in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 Main St, Andover, MA, on Friday, October 13, 2023, from 9 to 11 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated at St. Michael’s Parish, 196 Main Street, North Andover, at 11:30 AM. For those who would like to donate to Bill’s favorite charity, you can do so at : How To Help | Donate | Massachusets Lions Eye Research Fund (mlerfi.com)