William Moore

William B. Moore - a beloved father, grandfather and friend to many in the Central Texas region - passed away peacefully on March 24, 2016, in Rockdale, Texas, after a long battle with diabetes. He was 80 years old.

Bill is now joyfully reunited with his beloved wife of 51 years, Rose Edna (Schofield) Moore, who preceded him in January 2009.

He is survived by their two sons - Randy Moore (with his wife Elizabeth) of Joplin, Mo., and Ron Moore (with his wife Marla) of San Antonio, Texas - and by their daughter, Kimberly Moore of Rockdale. He also leaves behind three grandsons - Will, Joshua and Allen -- and six granddaughters: Rachael, Jessica, Randa, Chelsey, Elizabeth and Samantha; three great-grandchildren; and countless friends whose lives he touched through the years.

William Bernard Moore - known to many later in life as "Mr. Bill" - was born Jan. 27, 1936, in Blue Island, Ill. to Richard A. and Hattie Moore. He was a kind and gentle presence with a frequent smile and a deep, infectious chuckle who passed down many colorful stories from a varied career.

After a standout high school athletic career in Miller, Mo., Bill had opportunities to pursue several college athletic scholarships but instead enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1953. There, he played football for Pacific Air Forces in the early years of his career. Bill was recruited by the Washington Redskins from Pacific Air Forces but resumed his career in the Air Force after playing the pre-season. During his 20 years in the military, he served in South Korea and Japan in support of fighter operations, and in multiple States-side locations in support of the country's nuclear deterrence missile force. He retired from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant in 1974.

Bill met Rose Schofield in Carthage, Mo., in June 1958, and they married less than a week later. They raised their three children on Air Force bases around the country before settling for a time in Joplin, Mo., following his military retirement. He remained a devoted father and husband throughout his life, passing along his deep love of sports, fishing and the outdoors - as well as his passion for technology - to his children and grandchildren.

In the 1980s, Bill and Rose left Missouri and traveled extensively through the country in an RV in order to spend time with their grandchildren. They settled in Central Texas in 1989.

The following year, Bill embarked on a new career - teaching business and computers at the Southern Careers Institute in Austin. He remained in that position until 2012, after his health worsened. As "Mr. Bill" to the SCI students and staff, he devoted himself to making a difference in the lives of young, often disadvantaged students. As an instructor, he empowered scores of young people surge past boundaries and lift themselves up as achieving professionals.

Bill's good humor, gentleness, and powerful examples of love and loyalty were seen by all. Though his absence is mourned, we rejoice for his life and legacy.

Memorial services are scheduled for 11 a.m. March 31 at All Faiths Funeral Service, 8507 N. IH-35, Austin, Texas. Although flowers are welcome, charitable contributions may be made to Austin Partners in Education as well. Please denote any donations as "In memory of William Moore." More details can be found at www.austinpartners.org.

Please feel free to post any pictures and/or remembrances to his page and the family will try to share as many as we can when we gather to celebrate his life.