William J. “Scoop” Doherty

DOHERTY, MURPHY

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 4/27/2011 at 13:23:20

William J. “Scoop” Doherty, 96, of Iowa City, passed away on April 24, 2011 surrounded by his three children. This beloved husband and father is survived by his sons, Kevin and Tim Doherty of Iowa City, and his daughter, Colleen Murphy (Pete) of Estero, Florida. He was predeceased by his wife, Marjorie, in 1985.

Born in Dubuque and raised in Waterloo, Iowa, Bill attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated in 1939 from Loras College.

Bill began his army career in 1941 with combat in the South Pacific. He attended Officer Candidate School and was discharged December 1945. During his military career he was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and was a prisoner of war. He was awarded many medals, including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He continued his service by joining the Army Reserve Unit in Iowa City, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel of the Infantry.

Married to Marjorie Murphy in 1944, they made their home in Iowa City where he opened the Veterans Administration Office in the Iowa State Bank and Trust Co. building. He was transferred to the VA Hospital when it opened in 1952. He earned his masters degree and became Assistant Chief of Social Work Service at the VA Hospital in 1969 and later became involved in the hospital based Prisoner of War Program and retired in 1992.

Over the years Bill was active in many local organizations including the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus and the VFW. His many awards include the Distinguished Alumni Award from Loras College, the Will Hayek Award and a Place of Honor on the Veterans Trail. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City.

His family and friends thank God for his life, his faith and his never ending sense of humor. A special thank you to the staff of Solon Nursing Care Center for their kind and compassionate care.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. Entombment will follow at Mt. Olivet Mausoleum in Waterloo, Iowa. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Lensing Funeral Service in Iowa City.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 302 East Jefferson Street, Iowa City, Iowa, 52245.