The Joseph and Muriel Murphy Scholarship was established in 1989 by the couple’s friends and family. Joe Murphy graduated from Gonzaga Law School in 1942.
After law school, Joe served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, being discharged in late 1945. Joe resumed his legal career in 1946 and served as the Toppenish City Attorney for 25 years. Along the way, Joe was actively involved with several Catholic boards and councils, and was a lifetime member of the President’s Council at Gonzaga University.
Muriel spent most of her time raising the couple’s 10 children. She was well known for her tremendous generosity, as she often sewed and baked goods for local area needy families. Muriel was also an accomplished tap dancer, gardener and card player.