Peoria - William F. "Bill" Murphy, 97, of Peoria, passed away on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 with his wife Alberta at his side at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. He was born on July 26, 1923, a son of Richard J. and Stella R. (Gerretsen) Murphy. He married Alberta Mitchell on August 18, 1951 in Chicago. She survives.

He is also survived by his son, William F. (Catherine) Murphy, Jr. of New Braunfels, TX; his daughter, Donna (Michael) Verheyen of Peoria; three grandchildren, Stephanie (David) Fluty of Mackinaw, Allison Verheyen of Kansas City, MO, and Eric Verheyen of Chicago; two great-grandchildren, Joshua and Abigail Fluty; one sister, Gloria (Roy) Keith of Trivoli; one brother, Mike (Rosemary) Murphy of Hanna City; and several nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Jack, Larry, and Dick Murphy; and three sisters, Pat, Doris, and June.

Bill served in World War II in the US Navy as a combat medic and was assigned to the 4th Marine Division during 3 Pacific island battles; Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. He was discharged with multiple honors in 1946. Bill returned to Peoria where he worked as a pressman for International Paper for 40 years, retiring in 1986.

Bill was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church in Peoria and was a past member of the VFW Post 814 in Peoria. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and loved to hunt, fish, and garden.

His family would like to thank Comfort Keepers, OSF Hospice, and OSF St. Francis Medical Center for the special care given to Bill.

Bill's funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 12, 2021 at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria. His visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. also on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Springdale Cemetery in Peoria. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home or the VFW on Lake St., Peoria Heights, Illinois.

Online condolences may be left for Bill's family at www.davison-fulton.com.