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Wilmington Tigers head coach passes away

By Bob Bonner - email

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - William Murphy, the head coach of the Wilmington Tigers and long-serving member of the Wilmington community passed away Sunday at the age of 74.

The cause of Mr. Murphy's death is not yet known, but his wife believes he had a heart attack.

Murphy was in his third-year as head coach, and the Tigers are scheduled to host the Mason Dixon Football League Championship game Saturday.

Laney Athletic Director Fred Lynch remembered Murphy as a leader of the community.  "He was instrumental in keeping the MLK Center up and going and was very much involved in the Pop Warner programs in the area."

New Hanover Athletic Director Keith Moore added, "He had a hand helping a lot of the greats that came out of our area.  [Michael] Jordan, [Clyde] Simmons all played sports with Coach Murphy close by."

Murphy was working part-time at the Martin Luther King center at the time of his death.  While retired he was asked to come back to help run the center.

The family would like to invite anyone interested in singing in a mass choir at the funeral to attend a rehearsal Friday, Oct. 23 at 6:30pm at Williston Middle School.

A visitation will take place Saturday evening from 4:30-8:00 at the Martin Luther King Center.

A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, October 25 at Williston Middle School.  The service is scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm. 

Leave your thoughts and memories about Murphy in the comments section directly below this story.

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