Ben Paul Murphey

Ben Paul William Murphey age 96 passed away on 6th of August 2020. He is preceded in death by his sweet loving wife Dixie Dean Bradley Murphey of 67 years, parents Walter A & Nettie Smith Murphey, brothers Joe Frank Murphey & Richard Boyd Murphey, sisters Annalene Murphey Bays & Reatha Murphey Robinson. Ben was a long time resident of Mobile and native of Crossett, Arkansas attending University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He spent 42 years working for J.C. Penney Company retiring in 1985. He enjoyed hunting & fishing. He was always a man in motion, enjoyed life, a leader, mentor, good husband and father treating everyone with respect and open heart. He was a member of the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Mobile Symphony, Mobile Opera Guild, President of the Springdale Mall Merchants Association and Board of the American Red Cross. In the 1960’s he worked with local civic leaders, business leaders and African American leaders blazing the way during integration as the first major business in Mobile to place African Americans working with customers. An avid dancer he learned and taught dancing at Little Rock Arthur Murray Dance Studio helping pay his way through college. He served honorably in WWII from 1943 to 1946 with the 25th Infantry Division in the Pacific Theater fighting in the Battle of Luzon and Korean War 1950 to 1951 with the 1st Cavalry Division. In WWII he patrolled Hiroshima after the Atomic bomb taking part in the occupation, dismantling and destruction of the Japanese war machine. He is survived by his daughter Paula Dean Lee, son Ben Alan Murphey. He leaves behind his cherished grandson Garrison Murphey (Meghan) and beloved great grandchildren Collin Michael Murphey, Kendall Maree Murphey and Chase Alan Murphey residing in St. Louis Missouri, nephews Greg Murphey, Richard Murphey, Billy Bays all of Crossett Arkansas and niece Sheila Murphey Farmer of Conway Arkansas. Other survivors and cherished friends Joe Adamo, Donald Cranford (Gwen), Lyman Holland (Leannah), Joe Baldwin(Lynda), Debbie Reynolds, Julie Favorite, Diane Porter (Mike), Robbie Summers, Tom Sharp (Lydia), Alvin Walls, Barbara Cart, Dennis & Sue Reynolds, Barbara Mulligan, Joey Henry, Curtis Henry, Valerie Henry, Phillip Bradley(Terry), Karen Reed(Dewayne), Sharon Hamby(Blake), Susan Thomas(Jon), Karen Womack (Sid). Serenity Funeral Home Theodore, AL will arrange his final journey to Harris Funeral Home Morrilton, AR and laid to rest 12 Sept 2020 at Cedar Creek Cemetery Jerusalem Arkansas next to his wife. In lieu of flowers his request is donations sent to Cedar Creek Cemetery Fund, P. O. Box 53 Jerusalem Arkansas 72080.

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Ben Paul Murphey

October 10, 1923 - August 6, 2020