William Murphy, a bass-baritone soloist, taught music at Walla Walla College from 1966 to 1972, where he directed the College Chorale and taught voice. Prior to teaching at the college, he had taught for eleven years, at Lodi academy, chairing the department for 8 years, and at San Diego Academy.

Murphy graduated from Emmanual Missionary College, now Andrews University, with a baccalaureate degree. He completed a master's degree at Colorado State University while teaching at Lodi Academy and did additional graduate study at the University of Southern California.

A quiet and thoughtful person, Murphy possessed good organizational skills. During his second year at WWC, he served as interim music department chair for the last half of the year.

ds 2007