Out of an abundance of caution for our family and friends, the Celebration of Life service for William B. Moore has been postponed. Bill’s service - on Saturday, March 28 at Orleans Yacht Club - will be re-scheduled at a later date.
If you would like to be notified of Bill’s service, please email Diane Dodge at [email protected].
Thank you for your understanding.
William B. Moore, 91, of Orleans, Massachusetts passed away peacefully on February 15, 2020.
Born in Boston in 1928, he was raised in Newton by his parents Harry and Gladys Moore. He graduated from Newton High School, spent a post-graduate year at Tabor Academy, and one year at Colby College before transferring to General Motors Institute to complete his education. Bill enlisted in the US Navy during the Korean War where he served four years, primarily on the USS Antietam as an airplane mechanic. In recent years he was proud to wear his USS Antietam hat and enjoyed many conversations as a result.
Bill and his first wife Sally moved to Orleans in 1957. Bill started Orleans Motors with his partners Merton Gill and Stanley Burton where they repaired and sold used cars, International Harvester Scouts and Land Rovers. Bill and Sally soon joined the Orleans Yacht Club and bought an O’Day Day Sailer.
Bill loved sailing and spent as much time as he could on the water. The Orleans Yacht Club, its members, and all things water-related brought him great joy.
Bill, with Sally as crew, won the Day Sailer North American Championship on Lake Cowan in Ohio in 1963. As defending champions, they finished in the top five for several years at various yacht clubs across the country. When the Orleans Yacht Club and Chatham Yacht Club co-hosted it on Pleasant Bay, Bill organized it and chaired the race committee.
In 1976 Bill created and ran the Great Bicentennial Bathtub Race. What began as an excuse for a party at the yacht club quickly became a media sensation with thousands of people lining the shores of the Cove to watch an impressive variety of homemade boats (attempt to) sail on Town Cove.
Bill was Commodore of the Orleans Yacht Club from 1967 through 1969. He enjoyed competing in Sunday races; his three daughters often crewed for him or sailed together while he chaired the race committee. He tirelessly participated in weekly work parties and monthly social events.
In later years, after selling Orleans Motors, Bill and his second wife Nancy spent over twenty winters living aboard their Krogan 38 cruising the Bahamas. They enjoyed sharing this idyllic lifestyle with family and friends.
During the summer, Bill worked in a variety of positions at Nauset Marine and helped with boat deliveries, which earned him the nickname “Captain Sandbar.” He and Nancy continued to be involved with the yacht club – racing in Sunday races, assisting with the junior sailing program, developing an adult sailing program, running social events, and enjoying the company of friends at the Friday night cocktail parties.
Bill and Nancy could often be seen on the Orleans waterways in their tugboat replica, the Nancy J, that he built from a catboat hull. Bill also enjoyed building and racing model sailboats.
Bill was the husband of Nancy J. Moore for 37 years and the brother of the late Leslie Waldbillig (Craig). He leaves behind three daughters, Diane Dodge (Brad) of Alpharetta, GA and East Orleans, Susan Moore (John Mix) of San Anselmo, CA, Carol Penfield (David) of Wellfleet, MA, four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. He also leaves behind three stepchildren, Linda Weik of Mashpee, Doug Savonen of Orleans, Steve Savonen (Krista) of Ukiah, CA, and four step-grandsons. Bill enjoyed time spent with his two nieces, Karen Kasich (John) and Kristen Ferraro (Mike), and their children.
Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Radke Fund at Orleans Yacht Club which supports sailing opportunities for children.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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