William J. Murphy, Jr.

William Joseph Murphy, Jr., age 83, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2026, surrounded by love in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, where he spent his final years after residing in Aberdeen, Maryland for most of his life.

Born on December 13, 1942, to William and Jeanne (Wiley) Murphy, Sr., Bill was known to all who loved him for his warmth, quick wit, and generous heart. Throughout his life, Bill possessed an endless curiosity about the world around him. A true adventurer, he marveled at the natural wonders of the globe—from exploring the Galapagos Islands and the ancient heights of Machu Picchu to rafting down the Colorado River to the base of the Grand Canyon and discovering the beauty of Yellowstone National Park. Yet, as far as his travels took him, one of his favorite places on earth was closer to home: Cottage 95 in Ridgeview Park in Derry, Pennsylvania. His family’s roots at Ridgeview Park trace back to the 1800s, and Bill spent many cherished childhood summers there—a tradition he proudly continued throughout his entire life. He tended to the cottage and its grounds as lovingly as he did his home in Aberdeen, finding solace in the surrounding woods and the deep peace and joy that nature always brought him. Bill’s appreciation for the outdoors was matched only by his desire to share it with others. He spent many rewarding years volunteering at the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center, guiding scout packs and school groups as they kayaked through the waters and learned about wildlife preservation. His passion for nature lives on in a powerful way: his grandchildren have proudly followed in his footsteps, inheriting his love of the outdoors, fishing, and animals—a legacy that filled him with immense pride. In addition to his environmental leadership, Bill was a dedicated community volunteer, active as a Jaycee earlier in life. He enjoyed meeting with his local Bridge group for many years, tackling the most fiendish crosswords and sudokus, and was an avid reader. Above all, Bill treasured time spent with family and friends, many times declaring, “If I was any better, I couldn’t stand it!”

He is preceded in death by his parents, William, Sr. and Jeanne.

Bill leaves behind a rich legacy of love. He is survived by his loving wife of forty-five years, Nancy Marie Schubert Murphy; daughter Raegan Marie Dunlap (Matthew) of Greensburg and their children, Layla Marie and Everett Joseph; daughter, Karen Jeanne Schmidt (Brian) of Aberdeen, MD; son, William J. Murphy III (Karen) and their children, William J. IV and Kaitlyn Murphy of Havre de Grace, MD; sisters, Patricia Bray of Mesa, AZ and Pamela Bradford of Reston, VA; and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends of Bill will be received Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 1 to 3 PM and from 6 PM until the time of reflections at 7:30 PM in the Clement L. Pantalone Funeral Home, Inc., 409 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601 724-837-0020.

The family would like to thank the staff of AHN Hospice for their kindness and compassion during Bill's illness. It did not go unnoticed and was greatly appreciated

In lieu of flowers the family suggest you plant a tree in Bill's memory.

Bill’s family has entrusted his care to the Pantalone Funeral Home Inc., Greensburg. For online condolences / directions or to order a tree, visit us at pantalone.com. Natale N. Pantalone, supervisor.