William Lorenzo Moss II

A native Athenian, he attended Chase Street Elementary, Asheville School for Boys, and Athens High School. Lorenzo graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering while also a member of the Georgia Tech swim team and an award-winning diver. He was a lifelong Yellow Jacket and a "helluva engineer."

Lorenzo spent his early career in Huntsville, Alabama with Brown Engineering as aerospace engineer on NASA’s Saturn Rocket Program that successfully took the first humans to the moon. It was in Alabama that he met his lifelong love, Jo Anne, to whom he was married for 64 years. He returned to Athens with his family in 1969 and began his real estate development business that included Lafayette Square Apartments, Moss Side Drive, Hodgson’s Place and other residential and commercial ventures in the community. Lorenzo was a strong advocate for downtown Athens through his work on the Athens Downtown Council and Athens Downtown Development Authority. He was honored to receive a Key to the City for his lifetime of contributions for a more vibrant Athens. Along the way, he developed a passion for running. In his prime he could be spotted most afternoons running along Milledge Avenue and working out at the YMCA. He crossed the finish line of countless Peachtree Road races, marathons, and fun runs.

Lorenzo was known for his quiet presence, direct style, and dry sense of humor. He will be missed. He is survived by his wife, Jo Anne Barker Moss; his daughter, Marguerite “Corky” Moss Morrell (Steve); son-in-law, Shaun O’Donnell; four grandsons, Louis Morrell, Christopher Morrell, Henry O’Donnell, and Hugh O’Donnell; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. He is predeceased in death by his two sisters, Marguerite Moss Heery, Libby Moss Schmidt; and three children, William Lorenzo Moss III, William Lorenzo Moss IV, and Anna Susan Moss O’Donnell.

A private service will be held for immediate family.

In lieu of flowers the family requests charitable contributions may be made to the Athens YMCA, Athens First United Methodist Church, or an organization of your choosing.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.