William Moore passed away on September 14, 2006 after achieving all his goals in life except one – to learn to play the piano.
Bill Moore could amaze people with his recitation of Shakespeare, impress them with his intellect, inspire them with his teaching, or make them laugh with his spirited interpretation of Dunbar’s “In The Morning” or Thayer’s “Casey At The Bat.”
He loved to dance to big band music or could be content with his easy listening jazz. He was usually whistling or singing from his favorite spirituals or songs from the ‘40s. He was an amateur photographer who could have been mistaken for a professional, and he was putting the finishing touches on his first novel. And he loved his glass of Grand Marnier.
He loved his Sumner High School class reunions and kept in touch with many of his classmates.
His educational career began 54 years ago as a kindergarten teacher, and he taught at every level of education – public schools, community college and university. He had a way of inspiring and challenging students to reach higher and achieve more than they dreamed was possible.
At the time of his death, he held the A.M. Aiken Regents Chair in Community College Leadership in the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin. He was formerly the William G. Fletcher Professor of Educational Administration at The Ohio State University.
He was formerly principal in the St. Louis Public Schools, Associate Dean of Continuing Education at Forest Park Community College in St. Louis, Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of the District of Columbia, and President of Seattle Community College.
He is survived by his wife Ann, his daughter Sharon Denise Moore, nieces Carla and Carlotte Moore, and nephews Kevin and DeGuinna Moore. He has requested that no funeral or memorial or other ritual of special attention be observed.
At Moore’s request, memorial contributions in his name are directed to his undergraduate alma mater, Harris-Stowe State University, c/o Development Office, 3026 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103, or to the Sumner High School Alumni 1946-51 Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 24926, St. Louis, Mo. 63115.
An obituary and guestbook are online at wcfish.com
Arrangements are being handled by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home in Austin, Texas.