William G. Murdy, Jr, passed away at his home on February 17, 2025. He was 90 years old.

Bill was born in New York City on June 5, 1934, the son and grandson of NYC police officers. He ran track and cross-country in high school and loved riding bikes, going to Yankees games, and visiting their pet cow with his best friends Boopsie, Dom, Ken, and Bob. He started his higher ed career as an aspiring chicken farmer at the University of Florida. It was a short-lived effort and he soon returned to NYC. Taking classes at NYU (then Washington Square College), working multiple jobs, and commuting from Queens, he got hooked on school and returned to University of Florida to get his PhD in clinical psychology.

One day at the library while in graduate school, Bill spotted his future wife for the second time. The first time had been during the chicken farming days when he'd been to a parade in Gainesville. A high school marching band blared by, and Bill had noticed a very pretty girl hefting an enormous sousaphone. Given the second chance, Bill being Bill, he quickly charmed his way into Louise's heart and they married in 1958. They were a stunning couple.

They both taught at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, from 1963-1997. Bill served as chair of the psychology department and co-founded the Counseling Center for students. Even though standing in front of a classroom was often nerve-wracking for him, he won accolades for his teaching and leadership—real awards as well as ones his buddies made up for him. Among students and colleagues alike he had a reputation for his hilarious side comments and his relentless New York accent. At Winthrop, he formed deep and steadfast friendships that sustained him through his career, retirement, and the ups and downs of golf on Tuesdays.

Many on campus and throughout Rock Hill always wondered how such a serious, responsible, proper Southern lady like Louise could ever put up with Bill's irreverent sense of humor and constant shenanigans. What they failed to realize was that Louise was Bill's personal Bud Abbott as he embraced his inner Lou Costello. Plus, she had a daring, adventurous side that expanded Bill's horizons and allowed him to more fully embrace life.

Bill loved movies, black-and-white photography, being outdoors, meeting friends for breakfast (eggs, grits, bacon, & a biscuit), giving the cat the rest of his ice cream, and playing with his granddaughters & their dogs. In his later years, he especially loved getting to explore Baltimore and living on the same block with both of his children. To the end, he quoted Yogi Berra with abandon. "When you come to a fork in the road, take it" was a favorite.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife Louise and sister-in-law Sarah Scott (Bennett). He is survived by his sister-in-law Jane Ann Arnau (George); son, William Ewing Murdy; daughter, Anne-Elizabeth M. Brodsky; son-in-law, Simeon Brodsky; granddaughters Esther Rose and Ruth Evlin Brodsky; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill, SC, on Saturday, March 29, beginning at 11 AM.  In lieu of flowers, condolences may be offered to the ACLU , Winthrop University , or the Baltimore School for the Arts .

Please scroll down to the photo album to see more pictures of Bill and his family and remember him by signing his guestbook.