On this Memorial Day weekend, my thoughts, sypmathy, and prayers, pay tribute to a grandfather and an U.S. Army Air Corps WW II veteran that I've recently found had passed away.  Although I never met William Anderson Moore, I'm enlightened to know the roots, bonds, and similarities I shared through my mother, Sharon Moore Hurse, as a son first, and followed by her inspiration and encouragement to develop the music abilities that I've inherited.  Coincidentally, I'm also a recently retired U.S. Air Force member of 24 years. I truly offer my condolences and regret.  God Bless!

My grandfather's love of the newspaper is why I became a journalist. We read many a Sunday paper at the table together. I was more interested in the comics, but he read it from cover to cover and shared the news with me. Thanks, Pops.

Pops is letting his light shine in Heaven.

Todd and Michelle, what a lovely tribute. My heart goes out to you in this time of loss.


William Anderson Moore,  the beloved son of Azilee and William L. Moore, left this earth to be with the Lord in the Kingdom of Heaven on Saturday, May 14, 2011. 

Mr. Moore was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, on June 23, 1924. He attended schools in Benton Harbor, where he excelled both scholastically and athletically.  A top scholar,  Mr. Moore was also a gifted track and field athlete and football player. In high school, he lead his track team to a state championship in track and field, doing his part by completing a daring and school record long jump. 

When he graduated Benton Harbor High School, Mr. Moore joined the United States Air Force and relocated to Florida. He later served honorably during World War II. Having begun playing the piano at a very young age,  Mr. Moore used his considerable talents to serve in the U.S. Army Air Force Band.

After fulfilling his military service, Mr. Moore enrolled in university at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, one of the first American universities to regularly admit African-American students.

Having nurtured a lifelong love of the piano, he graduated in 1955 with a Masters degree in music studies from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.  Mr. Moore continued his pursuit of music and melody, playing with a variety of musicians and forming a jazz ensemble that regularly performed in clubs, including The Sunset and throughout Florida. He joined the American Federation of Musicians and was an active member.

He later married Lenora (Chappelle) Moore, of West Palm Beach, who often joined him in performances throughout South Florida.

Mr. Moore, or Pops, as he was known to his grandchildren, never forgot his roots in Benton Harbor, often proudly showing a photo of himself knee-deep in snow with a shovel. He also often reminisced about his high school athlete days, sometimes challenging the younger generation to a foot race, which he inevitably would win.

In 2006, Mr. Moore and his wife survived a devastating house fire, which left him disabled but not dispirited. 

He leaves behind many mourning friends and family who remember his joyful scatting and tapping of rhythms from memory as well as his uplifting and formidable presence at the piano. 

He is survived by his wife, Lenora; his stepdaughter, Antoinette Deal; his grandchildren, Timothy Mitchell, Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Candace Toombs, Francine Greene and Ricardo Toombs; and a host of great-grandchildren.

OBITUARY

William A.. Moore

Hillcrest Memorial Park

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