Willis I. Murphy was born May 7, 1934 to the late Willis Ivory Murphy Sr and Ada Mae Foster - Murphy. He was a 1954 Bridgeton High School graduate. On October 16, 1954 he married Alice Mae White – Murphy.  Three children were born to this union, Joyce, Josephine and Charles.

Willis was an avid chess, checkers, billiard, crossword puzzler and trivial challenger. After more than 30 years of working in the construction industry Willis retired from Local 222 of the Laborer's union in 1992.

Willis accepted Christ as his savior and served faithfully at New Hope Baptist Church as a trustee and choir member.

Willis was predeceased by his son, Charles E. Murphy Sr. Memories of Willis will be cherished by his wife of 68 years, Alice Murphy; two daughters Joyce Allen (Ellis) and Josephine White (John) both of Vineland NJ; One sister Annie Stubbs of California;  sister in – laws, Julia Williams of Fairfield Township NJ, Willie Mae Scafe and Corinth Wilson both of Bridgeton NJ: brother in – laws, Andrew White (Ruth) of Delaware, Willie White (Pam) and Gary Adams of Bridgeton NJ and Henry White of Vineland NJ; four grandsons, John Loatman Sr. and Charles Murphy Jr of Cedarville NJ, Kyle White and Kenan White (Natacha) of Vineland NJ; One granddaughter Wendy Loatman of Vineland NJ; one godson, Cherylton McRae, one goddaughter Shirley Manning, 13 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. He will also be missed by his cousins, nieces, nephews and friends