Billy F. Murphy

Billy Forest Murphy was born in Wapanucka, Oklahoma on August 2nd, 1931 to Amelia and Forrest Murphy. Billy died peacefully on Friday, February 10, 2012, surrounded by his family and under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.Bill enlisted in the United States Army on September 21, 1946 and successfully completed Medical Field Service School at Fort Sam Houston Texas as a Medical Corpsman. After training, he was assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma.Bill served in the Korean Conflict and was awarded the PURPLE HEART with BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER and the COMBAT MEDICAL BADGE, BRONZE STAR WITH VALOR and the AIR MEDAL with the numerical "I" for his actions while under hostile fire with the enemy. These medals were presented to Bill in a special ceremony at VFW Post 2555 in Golden Valley, Arizona on August 4, 2007. He received a permanent disability retirement on September 30, 1951. Bill worked various jobs, one of which kept him busy for the next 57 years as a professional truck driver. He competed in many of the Oklahoma State truck Rodeo's and succeeded in achieving the National Truck Rodeo level. He showed great leadership in trucking with competing himself as well as participating as a JUDGE and being involved with the National Safety Committee with the American Trucking Association. After many years of trucking, some with his wife Norma, he retired in 2005 due to health concerns.Bill's idol and hero growing up was Audie Murphy A much decorated WW II soldier and well known actor. Audie Murphy is also a distant cousin to him.Billy is survived by four daughters – Mary Catherine Haynes, Pamela Mike Casey, Susan Mark Hohstadt, Cassandra Wayne Lougheed; two sons – William Murphy, David Murphy; fifteen grandchildren – Kenneth, Joseph, Kristi, William, Michael, Shan, Hoang, Phuc, Chris, Mike, Melissa, Patrick, Heather; eleven great-grandchildren , numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and two very special 'Frito Buddies' – Lady and Liberty. Billy was preceded in death by his wife Norma; parents Amelia and Forrest, one brother – Parker; three sisters – Mae, Eva, Jeanne; daughter, Sondra and two grandchildren, Laurel, Dennis.