William (Bill) (Buzz) Murphy

William (Bill)(Buzz) Fredrick Murphy, 77, of La Crosse passed away March 2, 2014 from a battle with cancer surrounded by his family at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.

He was born August 27, 1936 in La Crosse to William and Frances (Smith) Murphy. He proudly served in the United States Army. On August 2, 1958, he married Joyce Marie Holzer in La Crosse, and they shared 55 years of marriage. In 1968 Buzz started his own business, Murphy’s Frame and Axle. He retired (sort of) in 1999. When he wasn’t in Florida he continued to help out running errands and hauling customers from place to place. Even up to a week before he was hospitalized you could count on Buzz bringing in donuts for shop patrons.

Buzz was proud of his family and enjoyed spending time with them more than anything. He rarely missed grandkids’ sporting or school events. He loved to head south to Englewood ,FL in the winter with his wife Joyce. He enjoyed fishing, whether it was in the Florida gulf with buddies or on the Wisconsin rivers with grandchildren. Christmas was a special time for Buzz, he enjoyed making peanut brittle for friends and family. If Buzz teased you then you knew he liked you. He loved a good joke.

Survivors include his wife Joyce (Holzer) Murphy, five children, Kelly of Rochester MN, Kim Maillet of Smyrna GA, Mike (Denise Jaquinde) of Rochester MN, Mark (Lori Stoltz) of La Crescent MN, Melissa (Scott Moran) of La Crosse. 10 Grandchildren, Kristine, Matthew & Ryan Murphy, Brittany Maillet, Zachary, Devin, Chase & Dustin Moran, Noah & Hannah Murphy. Step Grandchildren, Megan Lund (Moran), Mike Stoltz.

He was preceded in death by his parents Frances and William Murphy, sisters Margaret Clingan, Marion Pischke, Sharon Culbert and brother Thomas Murphy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday March 6, 2014 at St. James the Less Catholic Church, 1032 Caledonia St., La Crosse, WI, Rev. Robert Schaller will officiate with burial to be held in French Island Cemetery. We will celebrate Buzz’s life “Irish” style while sharing memories and stories from 5 to 8:00 PM Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave. So., La Crosse. Friends and Family may also call from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass at Church on Thursday.

Memorials are preferred to the Boys and Girls Club of La Crosse, or the Charity of your choice.