Billie Gene ‘Buck’ Murphy

Billie Gene "Buck" Murphy, age 83, of Rochester, went home to be with the Lord on July 26, 2026, at his residence surrounded by his loved ones.
Buck was born on Dec. 22, 1942, in Wabash, to James E. Murphy and Dorothy C. Smith Murphy. After graduation from Akron High School in 1961, he worked at General Tire and Rubber Company in Wabash as a maintenance pipe fitter. Buck was drafted into the Army and entered the service on June 11, 1964. He served two years as a SP4 preventative medicine specialist and was honorably discharged on June 10, 1966. He continued to serve for two years as an active Army reserve and two years as an inactive reserve.
Buck married Cathy Jo Love on Oct. 11, 1969, and resided in Akron. He continued working at General Tire and Rubber Company until 1970. His working career was very versatile. Buck worked at Church Service and Supply in Warsaw, constructing churches from 1970 to 1973. He worked at Armstrong Products in Warsaw as a maintenance supervisor from 1973 to 1979. Buck was the Akron Town Marshall from 1979 to 1981. He worked at the Akron Foundry from 1982 to 2008 when he retired as a maintenance supervisor. He was a member of the Fulton County Sheriff Reserves from 1982 to 1993.
He attended "Olive Branch Church" for several years and was a member of the "Been There, Done That" Bible study group for ten years. Buck attended "The Cross" church since 2003 and enjoyed the Saturday men's breakfast group.
Buck loved the Lord and let his light shine wherever he went. He was a kindhearted man and would help anyone in need. His wit and humor left everyone he met with a smile. He never knew a stranger. Because of his ingenuity and maintenance background, he was known as "MR. FIX IT." Buck was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His hobbies were model trains (constructing village buildings with his own hands) and building birdhouses
Surviving Buck are his wife, Cathy Murphy, of Rochester; son, Brooke (spouse Leslie) Murphy, of North Manchester; daughter, Heather (spouse Bobby) Lingo, of Mount Juliet, Tenn.; sister, Alice Helvey of Concord, N.C.; brother, James (spouse Judy) Murphy, of Maiden, N.C.; four grandchildren: Trace Murphy, Brooklyn, Isaiah and Samuel Lingo; brother-in-law, John R. (spouse Donna) Loer, of Warsaw; brother-in-law Mike (spouse Deanna) Love, of Akron.
Preceding Buck in death were his parents; two brothers, Mack and Ben Murphy; and brother-in-law, Max Helvey.
Memorial visitation will be Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Olive Branch Church, followed by the "Celebration of Life" service officiated by Pastor Jeff Sumner. Burial will be in the Marion National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made to Fulton County Reserves, 2006 Sweetgum Road, Rochester, IN 46975; or Gentiva Hospice, 730 Main St., Rochester, IN 46975. There will be envelopes at the church.
Online condolences may be sent to earllovefuneralhome.com
The staff od Earl-Love Funeral Home considers it a privilege and an honor to care for the family and friends of Buck Murphy.