Walter Michael Murphy, age 93, of Springfield, MO died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, March 7, 2025, in Springfield. He was born to Michael P. and Beatrice A. (Henderson) Murphy in Pittsburg, KS on Oct. 12, 1931. Walter was baptized a Christian in St. Mary Parish, Pittsburg and graduated from St. Mary High School in 1949. He volunteered for military service in the USMC and served from 1950-53, achieving the rank of sergeant. After his honorable discharge, Walter had a 37-year career in locomotive maintenance with Frisco R.R. and Burlington Northern R.R. as an electrician and diesel foreman. He retired in 1992 after ten years as BN Springfield locomotive shop superintendent. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Parish, Springfield. Walter had great abilities throughout life as a handyman for his family, relatives, and friends. He could repair just about anything. Walter's greatest joy was spending time with his family and pets. He often welcomed his four grandchildren into his home and delighted in watching them all grow to adulthood. Walter had unwavering devotion to both his first wife, Helen, and his second wife, Sandy, especially as the health of both women declined in their later years.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Robert E. Murphy, four siblings (Edward, Natalie, Mary Frances, Marilyn) who died in infancy, his first wife, Helen Ann Boerner Murphy, his second wife, Sandy Lee Oxendine Murphy, and his daughter, Jill Marie Keck Murphy.

Walter is survived by his daughter, Natalie Murphy, and husband, Kip Murphy, of Kimberling City, MO; his son, Patrick Murphy, and wife, Sharon Murphy, of Springfield; granddaughter, Shannon Stafford and fiancé, Nick Coffman, and their son, Creed Coffman of Nixa; great-grandsons Landon Stafford and Mason Stafford of Nixa; granddaughter, Rachel Murphy, and her daughter, Olivia Murphy, of Nixa; son-in law Joe Keck of Nixa; grandson Jack Keck of Nixa; and Ryan Murphy and wife, Ally, of Springfield.

Funeral Mass will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Immaculate Conception Parish Church, 3555 S. Fremont, Springfield. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the church, with a brief eulogy at the end of visitation and just before Mass. Full military honors and interment of ashes will be at 2:00 PM at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 Southwood Rd., Springfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Honor Flight of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 3964, Springfield, MO 65808-3964. (www.honorflightoftheozarks.org)