William J. Murphy
34th Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
In office
January 28, 1977 – January 1, 1979
GovernorJohn Evans
Preceded byJohn Evans
Succeeded byPhil Batt
Personal details
Born(1912-03-12)March 12, 1912
Wallace, Idaho, U.S.
DiedAugust 20, 1993(1993-08-20) (aged 81)
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Margaret Mary Murphy
(1915–1982)
Children4
Residence(s)Wallace, Coeur d'Alene
Alma materGonzaga University
ProfessionAccountant

William J. Murphy (March 12, 1912 – August 20, 1993)[1][2] was a Democratic politician from Idaho. He served as the state's 34th lieutenant governor from 1977 to 1979, during the administration of Governor John V. Evans.

Born in Wallace, Murphy was an alumnus of Gonzaga University in Spokane and was an accountant in Wallace with ASARCO.[3] First elected in 1958, he was a seven-term state legislator from Shoshone County,[4][5][6] with a stint as house minority leader.[7]

Murphy served in the legislature through 1972, then was an assistant to Governor Cecil Andrus, who was elected in 1970 and 1974. Andrus left for Washington, D.C. in January 1977 to become the Secretary of the Interior under President Jimmy Carter.[8] Evans succeeded Andrus as governor which left a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor.

Murphy was one of nine nominees,[3][8][9] and was selected by Evans in mid-January.[3][7] He was defeated for election to a full term in November 1978 by Republican Phil Batt of Wilder and left office 45 years ago.[10][11][12] As of 2022, Murphy is the last Democrat to hold the position, and Evans is the last elected (1974). After leaving office, he served on a state advisory panel on economic development and community affairs, appointed by Evans in 1980.[13]

Murphy and his wife Margaret (1915–1982) had four daughters.[3] He died of cancer in 1993 at age 81 in Coeur d'Alene where he lived,[14][15] and he and his wife are buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane.

References

  1. ↑ "William Murphy, 81, former politician". Ocala Star-Banner. Florida. (deaths). August 22, 1993. p. 4B.
  2. ↑ Page 45 & 47, Idaho Blue Book, Idaho. Secretary of State, Publisher:State of Idaho., 1977
  3. 1 2 3 4 Shelledy, Jay (January 14, 1977). "Murphy will be named lt. governor". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. p. 1A.
  4. ↑ "Wallace man to fill office". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. January 14, 1977. p. 10.
  5. ↑ "Omission of candidate's name noted". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. March 30, 1960. p. 6.
  6. ↑ Wakeley, Daniel A. (April 18, 1967). "Opposition told on Idaho dam plan". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. p. 7.
  7. 1 2 "Murphy wins nod in Idaho". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. January 15, 1977. p. 6.
  8. 1 2 "Nine Idaho Democrats listed as possibilities for state post". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. January 10, 1977. p. 6.
  9. ↑ "Bill Murphy mentioned for office". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. December 28, 1976. p. 5.
  10. ↑ "GOP landslide leaves Evans sole survivor". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. November 9, 1978. p. 1A.
  11. ↑ "Evans is lone Demo to survive in Idaho". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. November 9, 1978. p. 9.
  12. ↑ "Win margin doubled for Idaho candidate". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. November 23, 1978. p. 8.
  13. ↑ "Evans appoints six". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. December 23, 1980. p. 6.
  14. ↑ "Ex-lieutenant governor dies at 81". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. August 21, 1993. p. B2.
  15. ↑ "William Murphy". Toledo Blade. Ohio. Associated Press. August 22, 1993. p. A12.


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