Remembering Former Woodridge Mayor William F. Murphy Jr.

It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved former Mayor, William F. Murphy Jr., who dedicated more than four decades to serving the Village of Woodridge. Mayor Murphy's legacy has left an indelible mark on our community, and while his loss is deeply felt, his spirit will forever be woven into the fabric of our community.

Please see the obituary below shared by the Murphy family:

William F. Murphy, Jr., age 81, of Woodridge, IL died peacefully at home on March 30th after a life richly lived in service and kindness. Beloved husband of Liz nee Campbell for over 58 years; wonderful father of Jennifer (Larry) Lawson, Lisa (Doug) Young, William III, Colleen (Tom) Bosch; proud grandfather of Jacob and William Lawson, Braden Murphy, Campbell Young, and Christopher and Michael Bosch. Cherished son of the late Dr. William and Agnes and his brother Timothy. Dear brother of Anne Schiller, Jane Wangler, Mary Hauert, Charles Murphy, and Peggy Grobe; dear relative of many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

William spent many cherished years in his youth in Door County, Wisconsin, where he became a lifetime devotee of the Green Bay Packers. He graduated from Immaculate Conception grade school in Elmhurst, St. Bede Academy in Peru, Illinois, and St. Joseph's College in Indiana. He received a Master’s degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Roosevelt University. His career in education included five years in the Chicago public schools, five years as a principal in Woodridge, and 29 years as assistant superintendent for personnel in Woodridge School District 68.

His service in government included eight years as a trustee and the longest-serving DuPage County mayor with thirty-two years as mayor in Woodridge. During Bill’s government service, he was president of the DuPage Mayor and Managers Conference, president of the Illinois Municipal League, Board member of the National League of Cities, Vice President of the Illinois International Port District, and Vice Chairman of the DuPage Water Commission. William also proudly served as a charter founding board member of Giant Steps, an autism center for excellence in Lisle. Upon his retirement from the Woodridge School District 68, the Board of Education honored his service by renaming a school, the William F. Murphy Elementary School. The Village of Woodridge will also be naming the Village Hall in his honor.

Bill touched so many lives in his 55 years of service to the community of Woodridge, in the Woodridge school system, the government, both local, DuPage County, and the State of Illinois. He certainly made our community a better place.

A memorial mass will be held on Monday, April 7th at 11 am at St. Scholastica Parish, 7800 Janes Ave in Woodridge. Internment will be private at Holy Family Cemetery in Downers Grove. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to St. Bede Academy, 24 W US Hwy 6, Peru, Illinois 62354 or https://www.st-bede.com/give-now or the William F. Murphy School, 7700 Larchwood Ln., Woodridge, IL 60517.