William Tolbert Murphy

William Tolbert Murphy, 90, of Naples, FL, formerly of Peabody, MA, passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2022, at home with his loving wife, Judith, and family at his side. Born on January 14, 1932, in Everett, MA, Bill graduated from Everett High School in 1950 and from Northeastern University in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. He began his career with Esso (Standard Oil of New Jersey) and then worked for Stone & Webster Engineering in Boston for 34 years. Bill helped pioneer computer simulation of chemical process design, spending most of his career designing chemical plants around the world. After assignments in New Jersey, Peru, and Texas, Bill and Judy moved to Peabody, where they raised their eight children from 1962-1992. They retired to Spanish Wells Golf & Country Club, Bonita Springs, in 1994, and moved to Naples in 2020. Bill was also a talented leader. In 1988, he was appointed by Stone & Webster to serve as a United Way Loaned Executive. After retiring to Bonita Springs, Bill devoted countless hours to supporting the Spanish Wells community. He served as the Spanish Wells Condominium Association President, receiving an award for twenty years of service. Bill also ran the Spanish Wells Interclub Golf Program and was a Board Member of the Spanish Wells Golf & Country Club for many years. Bill was an avid and accomplished golfer, several times shooting his own age. In addition, Bill enjoyed tennis, ice skating, hiking, skiing, and volunteering with the Boy Scouts as a troop leader. He coached the St. Adelaide’s boys' CYO basketball team for 20 years, with many of his former players referring to him as the best coach they ever had. Bill loved Irish music, listening to the Red Sox on the car radio, and telling corny dad jokes with a great laugh to follow. Most of all, Bill loved spending time with his family and watching his children play and compete in multiple sports. A consummate gentleman, Bill led by example, living life with the utmost integrity and devotion to his family. Bill is survived by his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 67 years, Judith Ann (Potter) Murphy; his loving sons William, Kevin, Brian, Scott, Michael, and Steven; his adoring daughters Lisa (Murphy) Fitzpatrick and Christine (Murphy) Arena; his grandchildren Christopher, Matthew, Nicholas, Ryan, David, Leo, Anna, Patrick, Daniel, Julia, Victoria, and Andrew; his great-grandchildren Colton, Sloane, Miranda, Miles, and Maxwell; his daughters-in-law Nancy, Deborah, Jean, Mary Kara, and Ashley; his sons-in-law Brian and Andrew; his granddaughters-in-law Saemi and Maureen; his brother Edwin Francis Murphy and his sister Honora (Murphy) O’Keefe. Bill was preceded in death by his father Joseph Everett Murphy, his mother Honora (Hayes) Murphy, his stepmother Mary (McKinnon) Murphy, and his brother Joseph Everett Murphy Jr. A Funeral Mass will be held on January 10, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Naples, FL, followed by a Celebration of Life at Spanish Wells Golf & Country Club, Bonita Springs, FL. A springtime memorial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society. For full obituary and to send condolences, please visit https://www.shikanyfuneralhome.com

William Tolbert Murphy

January 14, 1932 - November 24, 2022