William (Bill) Murphy
25th Sept 1917 – 2nd February 2010

Bill who was ordained in 1942 was a very learned man, an educationalist and theologian held in the highest regard. He also had the odd distinction of never having been a parish priest. After graduating at St Patrick’s Seminary at Manly, Sydney, he spent the World War II years in the Casino parish in northern NSW and then travelled to Rome as adviser and secretary to Bishop Farrelly during the second Vatican Council.

Perhaps no one in the English-speaking world had a greater knowledge of church history prior to the council, the events during the council and its documents, than Bill did.

Over the years he wore many hats, including those of Editor of the Lismore diocesan newspaper, Director of Catholic Schools and finally Director of Catholic Education for the Lismore Diocese.

Despite being blind, Bill still celebrated Mass at St Agatha’s at Clayfield, Brisbane, the Penola Nursing Home at Wavell Heights and for the Emmanuel Covenant Community and he once joked that if the people were prepared to put up with a half-blind octogenarian priest it would be good for their patience and their charity.