Services for H. E. “Shorty” Murphy, 94, of Ada are 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel, Rev. David Daniel will officiate. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in Stonewall.
Mr. Murphy died Friday, September 21, 2018 at a local nursing home. Shorty was born east of Union Valley, near Stonewall on April 16, 1924 to John Wesley and Ruby Queen Adams Murphy. He was the youngest of 9 children. He was active on the farm and in sports, attending Stonewall Schools. He entered the U.S. Army on his 18th birthday, six weeks before his graduation. Before his 19th birthday he received several awards, including two bronze stars; and was promoted to Staff Sargent. He returned to Stonewall from the Philippines and was discharged from active service in 1946.
After the war, he married Wanda Louise McKinney and worked in the oilfields and farmed. Later he worked for Pontotoc County District #3, retiring after 32 years. He was a member of the Stonewall United Methodist Church and after retiring moved to Ada and joined the Asbury United Methodist Church.
Shorty was preceded in death by his wife Wanda Murphy; parents, John and Ruby Murphy, and siblings Effie Scott, Myrtle Burns, Alta Adams, Esta Lee Scott, Forrest “Bud” Murphy, Samuel Murphy, J. W. “Buck” Murphy, and Morris Murphy.
He is survived by a son, Lanny E. Murphy and wife June; grandchildren, John W. Murphy and wife Meredith, and Shawna K. Murphy, and great-granddaughter, Brooking Murphy.
Bearers will be Terry Scott, Jeff Krebbs, Gary Wood, David Brown, Larry Brown, and Bryce Murphy.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
