Bill died February 23, 2016, in Dillon, Montana. Murph graduated from Hellgate High School and the University of Montana. He had a career with the USFS with positions in Oregon, Washington, South Dakota, Utah and Idaho.

Murph jumped at Missoula 1956-64 and had 29 fire jumps during the busy 1961 fire season and was the IC on many fires after his jumper career.

He was very active in the NSA Trails Program and loved to ski. The Griz have lost one of their most ardent fans.