William T. Murphy Jr.

William T. “Bill” Murphy, Jr., age 87, passed away peacefully Friday, September 18, 2020 in his home in Somerset. He was the loving husband of Mary "Angela" (Magner) Murphy to whom he was married for 62 years.

Born in East Orange, NJ a son of the late William T., Sr. and Alice (Campion) Murphy he was a longtime resident of Somerset.

A graduate of Montclaire High School, Class of 1951 he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Providence College in 1955. A veteran of the United States Army he served two years in the Artillery and six years in the reserves.

A dedicated Insurance Agent, he entered the field in 1955 with the Maryland Casualty Co., then joined Chas. S. Ashley & Sons, Inc. in 1978 acquiring ownership of the agency in 2000 as President and C.E.O. A member of the Somerset Lion’s Club since 1962 he was named President years later and also became an active member of the Acushnet Lion’s Club in 2005. A District Governor of Southeastern Massachusetts in 1976, he was Treasurer of the Massachusetts Eye Research from 1982 to 2005 and the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award, given only three times in the past 50 years, from Tufts New England Medical Center from the Ophthalmology Department for his 23 consecutive years as Treasurer of Massachusetts Eye Research.

Bill enjoyed gardening, golf, crossword puzzles and Frank Sinatra but most of all his fellowship with the Lion’s Club and Massachusetts Lions Eye Research, helping to raise millions for research.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, William “Bill” Murphy III of East Wareham and Sean Murphy and his wife Denise of Delray Beach, FL, two daughters, Maura Leone and her husband Victor of Chesapeake, VA and Kerry Lecomte of Fall River, MA, one brother, Jerry Murphy; sister in law, Margaret “Peggy” Magner-Danna of Cerritos, CA; three granddaughters, Kalie, Carolina and Isabella Leone and several nieces and nephews. The CNA “Angels” helping him stay at home: Ashley, Caroline, Julie and Cheryl, you gave him the most amazing care, which allowed him to stay at home, in his own bed and pass peacefully.

His funeral service will be held at a later date and are in the care of the Waring-Sullivan Home at Rose E. Sullivan, 866 County Street, Somerset. Contributions in his honor may be made to Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund, Attn: Jim Roth, 43 Stewart Terrace, Belmont, MA 02478. To leave a note of condolence and for service information please visit www.waring-sullivan.com