William L. Murphy, Jr

Of Lewiston, NY, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Thursday, April 2, 2026. 

Born in Niagara Falls, NY, on September 16, 1949, Bill was the beloved son of the late William L. and Mary Louise (Miller) Murphy, Sr.

He was a graduate of Bishop Duffy High School and later attended the University at Buffalo. A gifted athlete in his younger years, Bill proudly played football for both schools.

Bill dedicated 28 years of his career to IBEW Local #237 in Niagara Falls. He joined the union in 1976, where he not only honed his trade as a skilled electrician, but also built friendships that would last a lifetime before his retirement in 2004.

Bill was the devoted husband of the late Joyce [Barnum] Murphy, whom he loved deeply until her passing in 2012. For 44 years, they built a life rooted in family and love.

In later years, Bill was blessed to reconnect with and marry Mary Jo [Bellonte], expanding his family and sharing 13 years of love, companionship, and happiness with her.

A man of many talents, Bill could fix just about anything and found great joy in “puttering” in his gardens over the years, always eager to share his vegetables with family, friends, and neighbors. Summers were often spent at the family cottages at the lake, where Groucher could usually be found on the deck or wherever a party happened to break out. Simply put, it wasn’t truly a family gathering without him. From birthday celebrations and holiday gatherings to family vacations and fourth of July weekends at the lake, Bill was the heart of it all.

An avid Buffalo Bills fan, Bill’s love for his team was legendary. He took great joy in watching—and rewatching—games, whether alongside his boys and family or reliving great plays over the phone, cheering passionately and savoring every moment.

Above all else, Bill was a wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather, great‑grandfather, uncle, friend, and neighbor. A gentle giant, he loved his family fiercely and was always their protector. Bill’s presence, kindness, humor, and unwavering love will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in the countless memories, stories, and sayings he leaves behind.

Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Jo [Bellonte] Murphy; his children, William (Lealy) Murphy III, Thomas (Angelia) Murphy, Michael (Julie) Murphy, and Kristina Murphy; eight grandchildren, Sarah (Zachary) Brogden, William IV, Madison, Erin, John, Grace, Molly, and Clark; one great‑granddaughter, Eden; his siblings, M. Susan (Charles) Hossfeld, Mary (Sam) Hager, Patrick Murphy, Donna (Bruce) Shahbaz, and Melissa (Douglas) Musall; his sisters-in-law, Carol Sheldon (late Stuart Sheldon) and Janet (Robert) Gee; his stepchildren, Marty (Kim) Ryan, Olivia (Rob Duncan) Ryan, and Brittany (Christine Gordon) Bodnick; his step-grandchildren, Kaileen Ryan, Rebecca and Lucy Duncan, Katie Ryan, Allison Ryan, Benjamin Frenchak, and one step‑grandchild who preceded him in death, Murphy Ryan; his brothers and sisters-in-law, F. Thomas (Marcia) Bellonte, Elizabeth (William) Gallagher, Julia Bellonte, Margaret (Cy) Talarico, Timothy (Patti) Bellonte, and Joseph (Janine) Bellonte; and his many loving nieces and nephews across the families.

The family would like to thank and are so grateful to the wonderful doctors, nurses, and staff at Roswell Cancer Center and Niagara Hospice House who took care of Bill over the past few months.

The family will hold a celebration of life this fall as they honor Bill and cheer on the Buffalo Bills.  Go Bills!

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