Dr. William Henry Murdock, Jr.

Dr. William Henry Murdock, Jr., age 92, of Gulfport, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Dr. William Henry Murdock, Jr., was born September 23, 1930, in Greenwood, Mississippi, and graduated from Greenwood High School in the Class of 1948. He lettered in track and field and attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. 

He received a BS Degree in Chemistry from Millsaps College in 1952 and was a member of Kappa Alpha Order social fraternity. He received his DDS Degree from Emory University College of Dentistry in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1956 and was a member is Xi Psi Phi professional fraternity. Dr. Murdock then served as a dental officer in the U.S. Navy for two years and was attached to the Third Marine Division of Fleet Marine Force in the Western Pacific. He was in the private practice of General Dentistry in Biloxi from 1958 until 1964 when he returned to graduate dental school at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis, Tennessee. He received a MS Degree in Pediatric Dentistry in December 1965.  Dr. Murdock was the second dentist in the State of Mississippi to receive a specialty license in Pediatric Dentistry. He practiced Pediatric Dentistry in Gulfport from 1966 until his retirement in 1996.

He was a member and former president of the 5th District Dental Society and was an honorary life member of the Mississippi Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Society of Dentistry for Children, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He was a member of St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Kappa Alpha Order Irwin Province Court of Honor, and the Gulfport Yacht Club and was a former member of the Gulfport Rotary Club, the Antique Auto and Engine Club of Mississippi and the Century Club of Gulfport. He was a 50-year member of both the Lincoln Zephyr Owners Club and the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Owners Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Henry and Estelle Rippy Murdock; and his sister, Adelaide Murdock Hunt.

Dr. Murdock is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ruth Taylor Murdock; their daughter, Margaret Estelle Murdock; and his much-loved nieces, nephews, great niece, and great nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 1909 15^th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501, or a charity of your choosing.

A visitation will be 12-2 pm, Monday, February 6, 2023, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. The funeral service will begin at 2 pm. Burial will follow in Coalville Cemetery.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.