William Harry "Billy" Moore

He loved a good story and was one of those rare folks who was often a part of the mischief of the story, to which his many friends could attest. There was not a kinder, gentler, better friend than Billy.

He was born at Vanderbilt Hospital February 24,1939 to Dr. Frank Andrew Moore and Grace Wendt Moore. He was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Moore Williams.

He grew up on Lambuth Boulevard and watched time march along as that area was once on the outskirts of town. He often told us he only had to come home when the streetlights came on. Billy graduated from Jackson High School alongside some of his lifelong buddies with whom he kept in touch for over 70 years.

Bill was graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Chemistry. He served his country by joining the Air Force on December 26, 1963. He was a 1st LT and stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The lucky devil met Sandra Gail Beach in Myrtle Beach, SC and knew she was the love of his life. He met her at a night school class and offered to drive her home, even though it was in the wrong direction from his apartment. This went on until he had to go back to Alaska. He loved to tell how he asked her to marry him on the phone and she said yes! They married and he took her off to the cold arctic tundra of Fairbanks. He said he got her there by the promise of a beautiful fur coat. They were married for 24 years until she passed away in 1989. They have 2 daughters, Susan Moore Crocker (John) and Jane Moore Tai (Steve). His daughters and sons-in-law were a joy to him and they made sure he always had plenty of banana pudding.

Billy started his long career as a chemist at Owens Corning in Jackson. After he retired, his new career was helping out folks all day long, but he always started his day at the Krystal coffee club and ended it at the Burger King coffee club. This lasted over 30 years and we have the takeout cups to prove it.

He was a lifelong member of Hays Avenue United Methodist church, which later became Aldersgate. He liked to wash up the dishes after the potlucks and cut the grass so it would look nice on Sunday. He really enjoyed helping his buddies at the stew and chicken sales.

If anyone ever needed a helping hand, they knew they could always count on Mr. Bill. His friends told this story: “When Aldersgate had a food pantry, Billy would always go by the bread store and buy bread to give out with the bags. One time when we ran out of bread, he told the guy getting a bag of groceries that he was sorry we ran out of bread but we put a six pack of beer in its place. The guy almost dropped his bag wanting to get to the beer.”

Newborn babies sometimes need transfusions and Bill had a rare AB positive type of blood that was in high demand for certain premature or newborn babies. He was often called in the middle of the night to donate. He was proud to be a lifeline donor and according to Cherie Parker, “Your dad donated 106 times and that added up to over 13 gallons of blood. Countless lives were saved because of his dedication.”

He took great joy in being a granddaddy to Frank Crocker (Dallas), Madeline Crocker, Margaret Radloff (Cyle). He was also the #1 back scratcher of many beloved dogs. Grandaddy was the builder of the “World’s longest golf ball tunnel”, and the one who took little boys in pick up trucks to look out for America’s most wanted criminals.

He became a great grandaddy when Marion Moore Crocker was born. She would sit in her high chair and listen as he told her his many stories.

His friend Lindsey White said, “ Billy Moore -a true friend- one that comes along only once in a lifetime. He would do anything for you but not let you do anything for him. There is really no telling how many individuals that he helped either by going and making a repair, buying them groceries, taking them someplace because they had not other means of transportation or just outright giving them money. His life was the perfect example of doing good for all you can. He will be greatly missed by many.

Billy will be laid to rest with full military honors next to his wife at a graveside service on Saturday, September 12th at 11am at Hollywood Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to the Billy Moore church fund; Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1050 North Parkway, Jackson, Tn 38305.

Everybody has a Billy story and we would love to hear them all. To share a story please email it to [email protected].

“Surely this was a righteous man” Luke 23:47. His memory is a blessing to all who knew him and he would be pleased if you continued his work and went out of your way to help someone, but don’t forget your coffee!