William Ray Murphy was born Aug. 23, 1942 in Wellington to Harold Clay Murphy and Doris Mae (Gilges) Murphy and departed this life on March 16, 2024, at the age of 81 years, 6 months and 17 days.

He was raised on the family farm just west of Conway Springs, where he resided all of his life. Bill attended school in Conway Springs and graduated with the class of 1960. He attended Kansas State University, and married the love of his life, Anna Marie (Estes) on Nov. 5, 1961, in Holy Matrimony in Conway Springs. To this union came two children, Robin Ann (Murphy) Weiss and William Clay Murphy.

Bill was a machinist at Garwin Manufacturing for two years in Wichita, before accepting a mechanic position at Sisco Incorporated. There, he quickly moved up the ladder becoming the shop foreman, and then the parts manager. Soon after he was transferred to the sales department, winning multiple awards for salesman of the year. His years of service and dedication eventually earned him the vice president position at Sisco, which was a subsidiary of Foley Tractor Company.

Being raised on the farm, Bill was no stranger to hard work. His family owned and raised several head of horses, and he was quite an accomplished jockey at an early age, winning multiple races. He spent many long hours in the hay fields and wheat fields, not to mention all of the hours of planting and harvesting that accompany those crops.

His hobbies included coon hunting and roping with many friends and relatives. He also enjoyed teaching Sunday School, fishing in his pond, playing cards, playing pool, and gardening. Bill held many offices at church and served on multiple church committees in affirmation of his faith and love for his Lord and Savior. He also held multiple offices in the Conway Springs Arena Club, including president for many years, and took great pride in announcing the annual rodeo parade year after year.

He and Anna ran a successful cow/calf operation for many years, making it quite interesting at times while still working full-time in Wichita as well. Bill’s love for his family gave him such pleasure and joy. Spending time with his wife, Anna, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, always made him happy.
He was preceded in death, by his parents, H.C. and Doris Murphy; his brother, R.K. Murphy; and son-in-law, Rick E. Weiss.

He is survived by his wife, Anna of the home; daughter, Robin Weiss of Argonia; son, Clay Murphy and wife Shelly of Conway Springs; seven grandchildren, Amber Griffin (Dave), Ashley Anderson (Ryan), Angela Martin (Brian), Andrea Eidman (Ross), Alex Weiss (Callie), Dalton Murphy (Heather), and Dylan Murphy (Kristen); 15 great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 23, at 10:30 a.m. at the Conway Springs Methodist Church. There will be no cemetery service following the funeral service.

An evening visitation time will be held on Friday evening, March 22, at the Fellowship Hall at the Conway Springs Methodist Church from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for all friends and family to have time to visit.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Bill Murphy Memorial Fund.  Donations can be made at the visitation or at the funeral or simply given or sent to the family.
The family has entrusted Affordable Cremations Plus of Wichita with the arrangements.