William Patrick “Pat” Murphy, a 46‐year veteran of the promotional products industry and most recently with IMAGEN Brands, passed away March 16 in The Villages, Florida. He was named a PPAI Fellow in 2016.
Murphy was the great nephew of Thomas D. Murphy, founder of the Thos. D. Murphy Company in Red Oak, Iowa. There, he started his career in 1968. He worked with his father, Bill Murphy, until his father’s passing in 1975, and in 1984-1988, Murphy served on the PPAI board of directors.
Murphy later went on to work as senior vice president of sales for Bankers Advertising in Iowa City, and in 1993, he and his brother John and their families started Murphy Brothers Crystal in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He would often say, “If someone other than a Murphy answers the phone, call the cops!” They later sold the company to IMAGEN Brands, where he continued to work until his retirement in 2014. The promotional products industry continues to run in the family, as both of his sons work in the business.
Murphy was known for his quick sense of humor and his animated smile to everyone he met. Outside of the office, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending time with family. He and his wife, Gail, moved to The Villages, where they took up golfing and became avid travelers.
Murphy is survived by his wife Gail; son Rob and his wife Susan; son Ryan and his wife Jodi; grandchildren Kali, Haley and Lindsey; sister Anne and her husband Larry; brother Mick and his wife Vicki; brother John and his wife Carol; sister-in-law Priscilla and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
