Virgil Owen Murphy died Dec. 31, 2023, in Kingsland. He was 92.
Virgil or “V.O.” as many called him, was born Feb. 7, 1931 at his home in Kempner to W.E. and Eula Murphy. He was one of three siblings, including Doris and Colene. Virgil grew up in Kempner and attended Lampasas schools where he graduated in 1948. He was a letterman in football and basketball. He had two claims during those years: one, he started second grade and finished fourth grade in the same year, and two, he and some others failed Health class their senior year so they could return for an extra year of football.
Here, he met his soon-tobe bride of nearly 52 years, Lora Virginia Watkins. She also was a graduate of Lampasas High School but three years his junior. They were married in July 1952, just before V.O. went off to the Army to serve his country.
He was stationed at Fort Bliss (El Paso) for two years. Most of his battalion went overseas to serve in Korea, but he served on home soil, as he claimed because he could type and was a whiz at math. He left after two years, as a staff sergeant.
While in El Paso, their first child was born, Debra Gail, but she died after two days due to complications.
Returning to Lampasas, Virgil started his career as a milkman. He began with Superior Dairies, and this led to a move in April 1960 to Austin. He moved to Hillcrest Farms Dairy for a few years but then back to Superior Dairies where he delivered milk to many West Austinites including Darrell Royal and Roy Minton.
Borden’s bought out Superior, and soon after he signed off as a milkman. Many times he worked two jobs to help support his family: store clerk, bartender, dry cleaners, stadium support for AISD and yard-mowing, which he continued until the age of 84, but only for neighbors. He and Virginia even served as booster club presidents at Crockett High.
Virgil loved visiting and hearing stories about his kids and grandkids. He was sharp in his thinking, even up until his death. He knew details of sports events and news that many could not comprehend. He loved gospel-singing quartets and to watch old westerns. An avid Longhorn fan, he also loved high school sports, especially Lampasas and local teams like Pflugerville and Round Rock, Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Cardinals.
Virgil was predeceased by his wife, Lora Virginia (2004); daughters Debra Gail (1954) and Cynthia Diane (2004); sisters Doris Williams and Colene Boyd; nephew, James Jones; and niece, Shirley Byrd.
He is survived by his son, Mike Murphy and wife Susan; grandsons Brian Rayburn (Sarah), Brent Murphy (Sally) and Lance Murphy (Jill); granddaughter, Britanny Rayburn; six greatgrandchildren, Makenzie and Keeghan Rayburn, Karlen and Owen Rayburn, Lindy and Miles Murphy; nephews Bill Boyd and James Boyd; nieces Elaine Henry and Ginger Harvey; as well as many other greatnieces and great-nephews.
Services were held Jan. 8, 2024 at Heritage Funeral Home of Lampasas, with burial at Oak Hill Cemetery.
