On December 22, 2023, Rev. William Perry Murphy’s number was called at the age of 98. Anytime he was asked what he was doing, he would always answer,” Waiting on my number to be called.” He is walking and talking with the Lord now. His final wish was for his granddaughter, Rita, to take care of his beloved fur-babies, Mitzi and Speedie. In his younger years, Perry was all left-handed baseball pitcher. He pitched for many different teams in the area and was very sought after. He was an excellent shot, flip a dime, and he could shoot it dead center. He worked for TVA as a boiler maker for many years, and during this time, he was a young Christian studying and reading his Bible often. Upon becoming a preacher, he started preaching at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Allsboro, AL. Soon after, he began pastoring at Asphalt Rock Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, Airport Baptist Church, Eastport Baptist Church, and many local nursing homes. During this time, he married over a hundred couples and performed countless funerals. Perry is survived by his son, Terry Murphy (Martha); his sister, Ruth Holt; his grandchildren, Tonya Swinney (Barry), Rita Crowell, Lane Crowell (Jennice), Crickett Crowell, Shon Crowell (Lisa); his granddaughter-in-law, Leah Crowell; his great-grandchildren, Peyton Swinney (Victoria), Amber Nix, Tyler Crowell, Zane Crowell, Caleb Crowell, Paul Lyles (Jennalee), Colton Crowell (Jessica), Casey Crowell (Courtney), Brittany Miller (Burt), Hillary Crowell, Jerodis Williams (Emily), Zachariah Kirkham (Erika), and Hope Kirkham; his eighteen great-great-grandchildren; and his extended family whom he loved dearly, Samantha Rivera, Chris Broad, Mike Hurdle, and Cathy Rivera. Many thanks to Cathy for the loving care she showed to PaPaw during his illness. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Mae Murphy; his two daughters, Joan Murphy and Jane Doyle; his grandson, Frankie Crowell; his great-great-grandson, Sikes Lyles; his parents, Murtie and William Murphy; his three sisters, Jewel Hogeland, Dorothy Cox, and Lucille Nunley; and his four brothers, Bradley, John Henry, Edgar, and Billy Joe Murphy. Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka, MS, is entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka, officiated by Bro. Frankie Smith. Interment will follow in Mynot Cemetery in Cherokee, AL. Pallbearers include his great-grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers include his close friends and family. Family would like to extend their thanks to Hospice of North Alabama for the excellent care they provided. Memorials may be made in Perry’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
