William Murphy

Heavens forests will be safer as they gained another fire crew member, when Bill Murphy took his final jump surrounded by family and friends on February 23rd. 2016 in Dillon MT. Bill was born November 5th 1935 in Missoula, Montana to James and Dorothy Murphy, He graduated from Hellgate High School and the University of Montana. He met Stephanie(Stevie) Flink in 1961 at Big Mountain and they married in 1963 and he began his career with the USFS. Their goal was to return to Montana but circled it with stops in Oregon, Washington where they welcomed daughter Maria in 1967. Next was South Dakota while Bill was house hunting Pat decided that Butte, MT was a great place to make his arrival in 1969. Last two stops were Utah then Idaho, where they both retired. Achieving their goal they moved to Dillon, MT in 2007 to be near the grandkids, but more importantly closer to the Griz games, until Stevie lost her life in 2011. Later Bill started a new chapter as he met Karen Steinbach and a wonderful partnership began. They enjoyed traveling, supporting the grandchildren, and cheering the grizzlies on to victory. Bill is preceded by his parents, wife Stevie and is survived by his partner Karen Steinbach, brother Jim(Peggy)Murphy of Reno, Nevada, sister Melissa Dyer of Carson City, Nevada, brother-in law Ernie(Robin)Flink of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, daughter Maria(Ike)Hansen of Dillon, MT son Pat(Cami)Murphy of McCall, Idaho, Julie Steinbach and Chris Steinmetz of West Yellowstone, MT and grandchildren Holly, Hailey, and Hanne Hansen, and Erick Murphy, and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the National Smokejumpers Association. The Arizona firefighters childrens fund The Junior Fiddlers or a charity of the donors choice. A Celebration of life will be held at 11:30, Monday, February 29th at Brundage funeral home in Dillon Montana.