Obituary of George H. Murphy

West Columbia—Funeral services for George Heyward Murphy, 87, of West Columbia, will be held at 12 noon, Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at Thompson Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel. Chaplain Rob Cely will officiate. Burial, with USAF Honors, will follow in Southland Memorial Gardens. The family will greet friends from 11a.m.-12 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Mr. Murphy, beloved husband of Catherine Magaldi Murphy, passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2013. Born in Orangeburg, he was a son of the late Fred Murphy and Julianna Pinckney Carn Murphy. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother who was very handy and could fix nearly anything. He was always willing to lend a hand or teach his grandchildren practical skills. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He was a WWII Veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served in Guam. He retired from Southern Bell after 32 years of service, and was a longtime member of the Telephone Pioneers and Woodmen of the World Surviving in addition to his wife of 35 years, Catherine M. Murphy of West Columbia; daughters, Karen Radovich (Tom) of West Columbia, Robin Cockrell of West Columbia and Peggy Garnett (Henry) of Cayce; daughter-in-law, Sharon Shirah of Columbia; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; brother, Jack Murphy of Orangeburg and a large and loving extended family. He was preceded in death by two sons, Steve H. Murphy and John H. Shirah; three sisters and two brothers.