Murphy E Whisnant Jr.

Murphy went home to be with the Lord on Jan 22nd, 2025. He was the first child of the late Myrtle Mae Wagner Whisnant and the late Murphy Edgar Whisnant Sr. originally of Catawba Co, NC, and maternal grandparent James Alexander and Barbara Ann Hallman Wagner of Catawba Co, and paternal grandparents Loyd P and Minnie Abernethy Whisnant of Catawba Co, and great grandparents Pvt. Benjamin Franklin (CSA).

Murphy’s parents divorced after a seven-year marriage. Myrtle Whisnant then moved with her children to Winston Salem, NC to raise them. Murphy started school at the old Westend School and attended one year at Calvin H Wiley Jr High. He graduated high school at the former Oratory Preparation School (for boys) in Rock Hill, SC in June 1942.

Murphy was first employed in August 1942 by Glenn L Martin Aircraft in Baltimore, MD building B26 boomers, then by Bethlehem Steel building liberty ships. He was drafted Jun 1943 and reported to Camp Craft Induction Center in Spartanburg, SC, and then volunteered for US Navy.

Murphy took Basic training at Bainbridge Navy Training Station, Port Deposit, MD. He completed Pharmacist Mate training at Navy Hospital Corp School in fall 1943. His first duty was at Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, NC Navy Hospital, as a Pharmacist Mate. In the Spring of 1944 he was transferred to the Navy Air Station, Banana River, FL for 14 mos., supporting air sea rescue operations. In May 1945 he transferred to Navy Training & Distribution Center Shumaker, CA and in August boarded the Admiral W S Benson troop ship for Pacific theater deployment. Murphy was assigned to a minesweeper ship USS Reform after Japan’s surrender to sweep mine fields around Japan till spring of 1946, when the minesweeper convoy returned to the States. Murphy was honorably discharged in June 1946 in Charleston, SC.

He took a job with the War Asset Administration, Drug & Medical Supplies Division in Charlotte, selling surplus military equipment till December 1947. In the fall of 1948 Murphy was employed by Winchester Surgical Supply Co. Charlotte, NC; initially in the Shipping Dept. and then he moved into medical equipment sales. About 1957 Winchester Surgical pioneered a “Laity” department for doctor’s patients that became the predecessor of today's Home Healthcare Stores. Murphy was the Laity Dept. Manager until Winchester opened a separate Home Healthcare store in 1979 at 1600 E. Third Street in Charlotte. This store was sold in 1995, but Murphy continued to work there until he retired in 1996.

Murphy attended Big Springs United Methodist Church for nearly 60 years. He was preceded in death by his wife Robbie King Godfrey Whisnant, stepson Thomas H Godfrey Jr, grandson Thomas H Godfrey III, great grandson Richard Lee Godfrey, stepdaughter Donna M Godfrey Seeley, and sister Mary Jean W Burns. He is survived by 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren.

Visitation will start at 11AM on Saturday 25th of January at McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park at 5716 Monroe Rd. Charlotte. A Celebration of Life service will be held in the McEwen Chapel starting at noon, with the Rev. Bill Jefferies of the Providence United Methodist church officiating. He will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife Robbie.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Rd Charlotte, NC 28211.