WILLIAM ‘BILL’ MURPHY, Clover Park High School Class of 1962
He played
professional baseball, including for the New York METS of the Major Leagues.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/william-murphy-obituary?id=55161407
SHARE A MEMORY/TRIBUTE
WALL about BILL MURPHY
My Dad Frank took
me to see Bill and the Mets versus the Dodgers in LA when I was around 6 years
old. What a great experience and an even greater memory. In the first live
professional sporting event I attended in my young life, my cousin was playing
professional baseball!! Bill was so gracious, loving and kind to us that day!!
My Dad was so proud as was I to have a cousin on a major league team. Not just
proud that day, proud forever. The example Bill set for me that day of what it
meant to, against great odds become a successful strong black professional
athlete was very impactful. I still have the baseball he signed for me that
day. I have never forgotten that amazing experience. My heart goes out our
family. Bill will be greatly missed.
Cousin, DP
DeMonty
Price - May 30 at 03:39 PM
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Thank
you for being a bright light in our all our lives. Your beautiful smile,
positive loving words and joyfulness will be missed. I am so grateful to have
had you as my Uncle.
Love Always, Deitra
Deitra Crawford - May 29 at 08:00 AM
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(See photo)
Uncle Bill walked me down the aisle on my wedding day. My dad
wasn’t here and he happily took on the task when I asked him. I don’t know if
he knew how happy that made me. I’m going to miss him so much. love you uncle
Bill.
Yami Billings - May 28 at 04:12 PM
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My family and I had the privilege to share a dinner with
Auntie Carmen and Uncle Bill just about a month and a half before he passed. I
am so grateful that my last time with him was full of great food, hugs, and
laughter. Uncle Bill never failed to show how much he loved his family. He will
be missed by all who knew and loved him :heart:
Leila Kammerzelt-Murphy
- May 27 at 10:26 PM
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Uncle Bill... I have many many memories. I just don't know
what to pick. I always tell the story of how Uncle Bill played a game of 21
against my 2 cousins and I as a team against him. Uncle Bill beat us by himself
then played a whole game of baseball then took us home. Or, I can talk about
how he taught me/us mature skills to get farther in life and have others
respect you. Also, he's the only one that called me by my dad's name like I
mentioned I wanted, cuz I thought I was grown, 23 years ago. How bout the most
powerful one, shortly after my wife and I lost our son, like times before,
Uncle Bill was there to comfort me (in his Uncle Bill ways) to be there for
Rosa. Then get this, one day I got my own route and guess who has a stop on my
route... Uncle Bill! I talk to my people throughout the day on my route, now
Unc has joined the convo as I get to show my elders how I will continue to pass
on their skills to be the best father for my son and daughters. I love you
Uncle Bill.
Arjay -May
27 at 09:13 PM
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I talk to kids at my school about the unsung heroes in the
history of black Americans; that it's so much more than the key moments and
figures who make up the "big learning" that happens through books and
conversation. I don't hesitate to include Bill in those conversations when
talking about the historic timeline of baseball. Although Bill's baseball
journey started after the formal integration of the sport, he and other players
of color played during the time where the "gentlemen's agreement"
still existed and segregation was practiced in hotels, restaurants and
communities. He didn't talk with me much about this but I've always considered
Bill to be one of the many champions, named or unnamed, that made the sport so
many of us love better; that makes Bill and others who walked that path more
than footnotes in American history.
Mike Murphy - May 27 at 11:39 AM
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Uncle Bill was not my uncle by blood but by marriage. He's
always greeted me with a smile and a handshake. The last 16 years I've found he
and Auntie Carmen to be role models for the marriage I have with my husband,
Willie (the 3rd). So much love. I'm grateful for the visits that we've had. I
look forward to hearing more stories from others about the great man he was.
Christina Crawford - May 27 at 09:21 AM
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Summer 1980-something, my older brother, my older cousin and I
are huddled around the silver Camaro our Uncle Bill owned. Listening to him
talk to someone on his CB radio probably miles away thinking he was the coolest
person on the planet. Grief is strange in how it can cause some of the worst
pain a person can feel, but it can also bring long forgotten memories to the
forefront. Our Uncle Bill was a one of a kind. He was kindhearted, intelligent,
selfless and also happened to be greatest athlete in our family. He was always
teaching us lessons like shaking hands strong, look a person in the eyes and
always staying true to yourself. He didn’t ever need to monologue or talk down
to anyone, he could give a lifetime of advice with very few words. I also think
of being there to see he and our Tia Carmen get married. The love they had for
one another should be an example to us all how to truly cherish each other.
I also would like to say a special thank you to Aunt Carmen.
This past year was hard, yet you found a way to always be there to keep Uncle
Bill in high spirits even when you were tried. I know for certain your love and
affection kept him going as long has he did. Thank you so much for loving him,
thank you so much for loving us. We love you and are so honored that we get to
have you as family.
Jason Crawford, Tara Crawford and Braylen Crawford
Jason Crawford - May 27 at 08:52 AM
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(See photo)
Oh uncle bill how you, your smile , wisdom , and kindness
will be deeply missed . You have touched more hearts than you know and will
continue to do so. Seeing you and aunt Carmen’s love and gentleness has spread
on to me and as well to others. We love you endlessly -Jessalyn and many others
Jessalyn- May 26 at 04:23 PM
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