Celebrating the life of
Walter B. Murphy, Jr.
March 11, 1926 - September 09, 2009
Walter Bernard Murphy, Jr., 83, known to friends as Buddy, died unexpectedly Wednesday, September 09, 2009 at Memorial Medical Center.
Born in Savannah, Georgia he was the son of the late Walter Bernard Murphy and Alma Flood Murphy.
He was preceded in death by his sister Alma Murphy Thorpe and his brother William Flood Murphy.
Walter attended the Marist School for boys and graduated from Benedictine Military School in the Class of 1944. He attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama after serving in the United States Navy aboard the battleship USS New York. During World War II the USS New York participated in the bombardment of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and was hit by a kamikaze plane on April 14, 1945. The ship's crew received several battle stars and citations for action during the war.
He became a member of the Hibernian Society in 1957 and served as a member and Chairman of the Board of Stewards and as President of the Society during the year 1981-1982. During his tenure as President he reinstituted the practice of the Society marching as a group in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, a tradition which continues today.
In 1971 Walter became President and owner of Rives E. Worrell Company, Inc. a commercial general contracting company here in Savannah. During his years as President the company constructed many well known office buildings, institutions, schools, hospitals, and many churches in the Coastal Empire and Low Country. He retired from the business in 1994.
An avid golfer; Walter has been a member of the Savannah Golf Club for 50 years where he previously served as Vice President and for several terms on the Board of Managers. He was also a member of The Chatham Club, The St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee and served on the Mercy Housing Board for several years.
He was a devoted life long member of the Catholic Church and has been a parishioner of St. James Church since 1961.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years Peggy Worrell Murphy, his son Walter B. Murphy III and daughter-in-law Cindy, his daughter Judy Murphy Cowart and son-in-law Robert. He is also survived by four granddaughters, Meghan, Colleen and Kelin Murphy and Rachel Cowart. Two sister-in-laws Lillian O' Donovan and Elizabeth Davis and a niece Jenann Thorpe Remeta and a nephew Nicholas Murphy Thorpe.
Visitation will be Friday 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with rosary service at 6:30 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church
Funeral Mass will be Saturday, September 12 at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church with burial at Bonaventure Cemetery Greenwich Section.
Active Pallbearers: William T. Summerlin, Thomas J. Beytagh, John P. Beytagh, Michael E. Beytagh, Glenn V. Holland, John P. Gernatt, Jeffry J. Fitzpatrick, and Manning M. Goldsmith III.
Honorary Pallbearers: The Hibernian Society of Savannah
Remembrances may be made to donor's choice.
Walter, Your father was a beacon for me in the construction industry. There aren't many real builders left in our community, and Buddy was the best of his generation. Let's try and keep up his standards as a fittiong memorial. Meghan, You are the second generation, and your confidence, humor and professionalism are a part of Buddy's legacy. You are both in my prayers, Pat
- Patrick Shay, Savannah, GA
Buddy was a golfing and lunch buddy at the Savannah Golf club and we shared many a golf cart and ice cream stories letting each other know where the best buys were.With a beautiful wife and loving family he lived a very straight arrow life,never,in my lifetime did I ever hear a negative comment made about Walter B Murphy.His death is a heart felt loss to his many friends.
- Ted Conrade, Savannah, GA
Dear Walter and Cindy, I know that Angie has also written but I wanted to add my personal condolences to your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. with respect,Jimmy
- Jimmy Hungerpiller, Savannah, GA
Dear walter and cindy and family, we were sorry to hear about your father passing away. our thoughts and prayers go out to all of your family. jack and jan chambers.
- chambers Family, savannah, GA
Walter, Richard & I wanted to extend our condolences to you & your family. My dad just passed away 2 weeks ago. I know you all will find comfort in wonderful memories of your dad. We will keep your family in our prayers. Take care....Donna
- Donna Bailey, Mt. Pleasant, SC
Judy, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Hold tight to each other and the loving memories of your Father. This will help each of you during this difficult time.
- Diane Hutchens, Winston Salem, NC
Dear Cindy and Walter, Grace and I were so sorry to learn about your great loss. He was a good and great man who did so much for his family and his profession. Grace is too weak to attend at St James, but I will represent us tomorrow. God bless and welcome this fine family man to the place he deserves in Heaven. Jack Neises
- Grace&Jack Neises, Savannah, GA
Dear Murphy Family, My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you during this time of sorrow. I do know what you are going through but it does get better but never goes away. I will keep you all in my prayers for such a great man. Sherri
- Sherri Burnsed Connolly, Savannah, GA
Walter, I was sorry to hear about your father passing away. He was such a nice and likeable person. I enjoyed his visits to the office and will miss them dearly. I won't be able to attend the funeral on Saturday because of being out-of-town, but I will keep you and your family in my prayers. As time goes by, it will get easier. God Bless you.
- Sheila Goldsmith, Savannah, GA
Walter, We were so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Please know that we have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Michael and Veronica
- Michael & Veronica Thomas, Savannah, GA
Buddy was a gentlemen who always treated me with respect and dignity, even as a young man who didn't deserve either. It was always a privilege to work on one of his projects. We will be thinking of and praying for the Murphy family in the coming days. Wes Dorman
- Wes Dorman, Savannah, GA
Dear Murphy Family, I was so saddened to hear of Mr. Murphy's passingBig Murph, as my dad used to call him. He was truly one of the pillars of our community, a very kind man, and a person that I always looked forward to seeing. I am sure that he is in heaven and at peace. My pryers are with Mrs. Murphy and y'alls entire family. May God Rest His Soul.
- Eamon Sheehan, Los Angeles, CA
Peggy, I very sorry to read about Walter's passing away. I always enjoyed seeing both of you when you would come to Hunter House for dinner. My sincere condolences. John Hunter
- John Hunter, Tybee Island, GA
Walter, Your father was a beacon for me in the construction industry. There aren't many real builders left in our community, and Buddy was the best of his generation. Let's try and keep up his standards as a fittiong memorial. Meghan, You are the second generation, and your confidence, humor and professionalism are a part of Buddy's legacy. You are both in my prayers, Pat
- Patrick Shay, Savannah, GA
Buddy was a golfing and lunch buddy at the Savannah Golf club and we shared many a golf cart and ice cream stories letting each other know where the best buys were.With a beautiful wife and loving family he lived a very straight arrow life,never,in my lifetime did I ever hear a negative comment made about Walter B Murphy.His death is a heart felt loss to his many friends.
- Ted Conrade, Savannah, GA
Dear Walter and Cindy, I know that Angie has also written but I wanted to add my personal condolences to your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. with respect,Jimmy
- Jimmy Hungerpiller, Savannah, GA
Dear walter and cindy and family, we were sorry to hear about your father passing away. our thoughts and prayers go out to all of your family. jack and jan chambers.
- chambers Family, savannah, GA
Walter, Richard & I wanted to extend our condolences to you & your family. My dad just passed away 2 weeks ago. I know you all will find comfort in wonderful memories of your dad. We will keep your family in our prayers. Take care....Donna
- Donna Bailey, Mt. Pleasant, SC
Judy, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Hold tight to each other and the loving memories of your Father. This will help each of you during this difficult time.
- Diane Hutchens, Winston Salem, NC
Dear Cindy and Walter, Grace and I were so sorry to learn about your great loss. He was a good and great man who did so much for his family and his profession. Grace is too weak to attend at St James, but I will represent us tomorrow. God bless and welcome this fine family man to the place he deserves in Heaven. Jack Neises
- Grace&Jack Neises, Savannah, GA
Dear Murphy Family, My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you during this time of sorrow. I do know what you are going through but it does get better but never goes away. I will keep you all in my prayers for such a great man. Sherri
- Sherri Burnsed Connolly, Savannah, GA
Walter, I was sorry to hear about your father passing away. He was such a nice and likeable person. I enjoyed his visits to the office and will miss them dearly. I won't be able to attend the funeral on Saturday because of being out-of-town, but I will keep you and your family in my prayers. As time goes by, it will get easier. God Bless you.
- Sheila Goldsmith, Savannah, GA
Walter, We were so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Please know that we have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Michael and Veronica
- Michael & Veronica Thomas, Savannah, GA
Buddy was a gentlemen who always treated me with respect and dignity, even as a young man who didn't deserve either. It was always a privilege to work on one of his projects. We will be thinking of and praying for the Murphy family in the coming days. Wes Dorman
- Wes Dorman, Savannah, GA
Dear Murphy Family, I was so saddened to hear of Mr. Murphy's passingBig Murph, as my dad used to call him. He was truly one of the pillars of our community, a very kind man, and a person that I always looked forward to seeing. I am sure that he is in heaven and at peace. My pryers are with Mrs. Murphy and y'alls entire family. May God Rest His Soul.
- Eamon Sheehan, Los Angeles, CA
Peggy, I very sorry to read about Walter's passing away. I always enjoyed seeing both of you when you would come to Hunter House for dinner. My sincere condolences. John Hunter
- John Hunter, Tybee Island, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
