William "Bill" Joseph Murphy

William “Bill” Joseph Murphy of Mokena, Illinois, formerly of Manteno and Thornton, passed away peacefully on the morning of June 29, 2026, at the age of 89. Bill was born on August 15, 1936, at St. Bernard’s Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, to Edwin and Catherine (Coyle) Murphy. On August 30, 1958, he married the love of his life, Lois Lee DeVries, at Queen of Apostles Church in Riverdale, Illinois. Bill was smitten with “Loey” from the moment he saw her selling corsages at a basketball game until the final moments of his life. Together they shared nearly 68 years of marriage and built a loving family. Bill was a hardworking and conscientious man throughout his life. His favorite endeavor was as the owner of Florence Sausage Company. He worked as a deliveryman for Wanzer Milk, Kraml Milk, Dolly Madison, and Hostess. He could find any address in the Chicago metropolitan area! Bill also was employed for a time by the C&EI Railroad. A man who believed in giving back to his community, Bill was an active member of the Lions Club, served as Resident Director of his Homeowners Association, and volunteered with the Manteno Interfaith Food Pantry and Habitat for Humanity. Although he was raised Catholic, his religion was to be a good person, and he was the finest man we knew. Bill found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He enjoyed working Sudoku puzzles, reading, and traveling with family and friends. He appreciated the arts and truly embraced the pursuit of knowledge. He was a fan of William Shakespeare, the White Sox, and physical exercise of any kind. He loved a good meal, great conversation, a cold beer and a fine red wine. His kind heart, strong work ethic, and willingness to help others will be remembered by all who knew him. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lois Murphy; his children, Kevin Murphy, Timothy (Tammy Huet) Murphy, and Shawn (Matthew) Newman; seven cherished grandchildren; and five treasured great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Catherine Murphy, as well as one sister, Lois (William) Kramer, and his brother, Paul Murphy. In accordance with Bill’s wishes, there will be no public visitation. A private family burial will be held at All Saints Cemetery & Mausoleum in Bourbonnais, Illinois. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. If you wish to make a donation in honor of Bill’s memory, you may contribute to Special Olympics or Habitat for Humanity. Bill will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all whose lives he touched through his generosity, compassion, and quiet strength. As Shakespeare said in The Tempest, “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.” Even in a world as fragile as Shakespeare describes men like Bill still stand tall — because they are caring, strong, and true. Brown-Jensen Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

William "Bill" Joseph Murphy

August 15, 1936 - June 26, 2026