William G. Mooney

17 July 1928 ~ 4 September 2017

On 4 September, Fr. Bill Mooney peacefully blew out the candle of his mortal life to welcome the dawning light of eternity with his beloved Lord. No one can ever say that Fr. Bill ever sought anything more than to serve God by service to the people to whom he was sent. Born in Detroit, Michigan, his dad raised him after his mother died early of tuberculosis. Both his parents were immigrants from Ireland, and he continued to maintain close contact with them throughout his life. He was the oldest of four children. Brothers Jim and Joe predeceased him; little sister Mary Pat survives him. His father’s example of daily Mass was an inspiration to Fr. Bill. After a few years in college, Fr. Bill decided to be a priest. He wrote to several dioceses and vowed to accept the offer from the first that responded. Lucky for us, Bishop Buddy of San Diego was the first to respond. He was ordained at Immaculate Heart Seminary on 19 May 1955 and served in the priesthood for the next 62 years at: St. Rose of Lima in Chula Vista, St. Charles Borromeo in Point Loma, Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Anne’s in San Bernardino, Aquinas High School in San Diego, St. John Bosco in East Highland, Uni High School in San Diego (where his taught Phil Nicolson), St. Elizabeth’s in Julian, St. Richard’s in Borrego Springs, Immaculate Heart Seminary, Sacred Heart and Blessed Sacrament in San Diego, and he retired from St. Michael’s in Poway to the care of Nazareth House . During his priest hood, he served many ministries including associate parish priest, pastor, teacher of history and religion, dean of discipline, assistant principal, professor, senior associate pastor, parish bus driver, and the chaplain of the San Diego fire department where he responded to the tragic McDonald’s massacre. He often said he never had a bad assignment. He was known for his 1963 Ford Galaxy, which he kept until 2007 when he raffled it off for more than $23 thousand to help build the St. Michael’s Parish Center. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed playing golf and racquet ball. He loved to travel and led many trips for parishioners and friends. He was conscientious, positive, upbeat, enthusiastic, hardworking, devoted, and faithful; he had a great sense of humor and shared himself generously with those he served. Fr. Bill’s many talents have always been used for one purpose alone: the greater glory of God. From teaching high school religion at Uni High to driving the bus for the altar servers trip to Disneyland; from remodeling and painting an old convent to house retired nuns, to teaching children religion; from organizing a senior center to serve the whole community, to the celebration of the Eucharist, Fr. Mooney has shown himself to be a faithful servant seeking no honor other than bringing glory to Christ. He welcomed many into the faith, never referring to them as “his” converts, knowing that conversion was the work of Christ. St. Irenaus said, “The glory of God is a person fully alive.” That was Fr. Bill Mooney.

Arrangements under the direction of Goodbody Mortuary, San Diego, CA.