Bill G Moore

If you would like to view the photo gallery simply click on "View Photo Galleries" to the left. Bill Moore was born March 20th, 1928 in the small community of Mineral Springs, MO, to Chester and Glenna (Ryan) Moore. Bill was the first of seven children all of which were born at home. Bill started his education in a two room country school in Mineral Springs going through the eighth grade. Times were hard when Bill was born. As a six year old boy he had to walk quite a distance to school all by himself if the neighbor boy was sick. Money and food was scarce. Bill told of times he would catch a milk cow and squirt milk in his mouth on the way to school because he was hungry. He never blamed the folks; he just accepted it as the way it was. One of Bill’s favorite sayings all though life was “Oh well that’s just the way it is” and made the best of whatever came his way. When Bill was in High School the family moved into Cassville only 6 miles away where Bill attended High School and enjoyed playing basketball and living in town. Work was scarce in Cassville. After a short time his Dad got a job in California through a relative, at a ship yard. His Dad said “Son we’re going to California”. Of course he did not want to go but he had no choice, so he quit school. After settling in Galt, California, Bill got a good job with a farmer doing different chores. Bill’s mother and the rest of the family soon followed. It was during war time and the crowded trains made it a hard trip. His Dad worked in the ship yard in Lodi, CA a few miles away. After only a few months in CA, Bills Brother Lonnie developed severe asthma. The doctor said to get him to a different climate. So again the family was up rooted and Bill had to leave a good job without having time to give his boss proper notice that he was leaving. This really bothered Bill. After the family returned to Cassville, Bill again entered High School, got odd jobs and bought himself a calf to raise. After a short time in Cassville, Bill’s sister Nena developed tuberculosis. The doctor told his folks they had to get her to a higher, dryer climate or she would die. So once again, Bill’s dad said “Son we are moving to Colorado”. Bill said “Dad, I don’t want to go!”, again he had no choice. His calf had to be sold and the money was used to make the move. The other five kids were left in Cassville with relatives. After his folks got settled in CO, the rest of the kids soon followed. This is how Bill and the Moore family came to be in CO. After living at the All States Cabins for a few weeks the family moved to a farm northeast of Vilas where Bill worked for Vernon Hanna driving tractor and going to school in Vilas. He excelled in Basketball and loved the game. He made many good friends. Bill’s brother Jim, the 7th child was born while the family lived in the country. His mom returned to Cassville, MO to have the baby delivered by the same doctor who delivered the other 6 children. Bill would laugh and tell the story when he found out his mom was expecting again he said “oh mom please don’t have any more kids!” Bill graduated in 1947, and started working for Longbell Lumber Co. in Springfield. The family eventually moved from the country into Springfield and bought the two story rock house on Tipton St. and lived there for many years. Bill trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the revival meeting at the Methodist Church in Springfield when he was 18. In 1950 he was baptized and joined the First Baptist Church in Springfield where he was a faithful member for many years. Bill was also a member of the Baptist Chapel for a few years; But none the less a faithful follower of Christ. In 1950 Bill met and married Eunice Harmon. One month later he was drafted into the service and served his country for two years in CO Springs and Anchorage, Alaska. After Bill was discharged from the army he spent a brief time in Grandfield, OK working back at Longbell Lumber Co as a manager but was then offered a manager position at the Longbell Lumber Co in Springfield so he jumped at the chance and made the remark that he never wanted to leave Baca County again! Bill and Eunice bought a lot on Cedar St across from the High School and built their brick home with the thought in mind how handy it would be for their kids to walk to school. Their door was always open to their kids, school friends and to the Wayne Lacy family who lived next door to them many years. In 1956 he became partners with Bob Everitt of Fort Collins CO and Longbell became Everitt- Moore Lumber CO. Bill ran Everitt-Moore until he sold it to Otis and Shirley Bonner in 1994. Bill loved Baca County and was a great community leader. He played both basketball and baseball with the Springfield town team for many years. He was a Basketball official for almost 10 years, kept time at football and basketball games for many years. The chamber of commerce picked him as outstanding citizen in 1967. He was selected as person of the year by the Club of the year in 1968. In Dec 1969 the Arkansas Valley Journal honored him as an outstanding person. He also announced away games on channel 6 T.V. The students of Springfield High School honored him by making him the first homecoming Parade Marshall for the 1981 home coming parade. He was very proud of this honor. After he joined the Longhorn Booster Club they gave him two plaques in appreciation of the countless hours he contributed to the Longhorn sports activities. Bill served on the Draft Board, American legion, Fair Board, Chamber of Commerce, Barbeque Committee at fair time, City Council, Lion’s Club, the Jaycees, Lamar Community College council, Scout master, and helping with little league. Last but certainly not least he served on the first Hospital Board when the Hospital was being built. He often laughed and told how he became chairman of the board staring with only a few members. Bob Rich was chairman and he appointed Bill as assistant chairman. Bill said he was very reluctant. Bob assured him he wouldn’t have much to do and could handle it, then when Bob suddenly had a heart attack and died Bill became the chairman. He said he never forgot how inadequate he felt when he got this big responsibility dropped in his lap. Bill was very thankful for the Hospital and was glad he had a part in getting it built. After Eunice passed away in 1997 Bill was a very lonely man. He soon left his beloved Baca County and moved back to Cassville MO and married Edna Edie. She had lost her husband several years earlier. It was ironic that Bill had played basketball with her husband Don when he was in High School in Cassville. Bill moved back to Springfield in 2013 yet always remained faithful to Edna. At this time he rejoined the First Baptist Church and was a faithful member until his death. Bill made his home in Springfield West and enjoyed living there very much. He had many good friends there especially his good Buddy Lyman Halderman. They spent many hours together playing Rummy and eating peaches and cream. Bill loved to fish and while living in Cassville he took up fly fishing at Roaring River Park only 7 miles away. He became very good at this sport and really like it. Bill spent many hours fishing at Turks Pond as it was his favorite fishing hole. Bill had many good fishing buddies over the years and out lived many of them. For the past three years while living at Springfield West his mobility was limited. Bill greatly appreciated his Brother-in-law Ted Lasley taking him fishing many times at Turks Pond. As all you fisherman know, there is no better fish bait then Stink Bait according to Bill. On their drive out to the pond Bill would say many times, “I don’t smell it do you Ted? And Ted would have to say “Yes Bill it STINKS!” Bill rode on the Everett-Moore float just last year in the fair parade. He was honored when Ernie asked him to ride. Bill told Ernie he would ride but didn’t know how he would get up there. Ernie assured him he would get him up on the truck. Bill thought it was pretty neat when they brought out the fork lift and set him down on the flatbed truck and seated him in the easy chair they had ready for him. He smiled and waved all the way up and down the parade route. At age 87 he did the town proud. For many years he enjoyed handing out silver dollars to the young kids who rode in the parade and was surprised to get to do this once more after returning to Springfield. Bill loved his family and set a very good example for them to follow, he was an honest as the day is long and would rather be cheated than to cheat someone. He helped many people when he was in Business those many years in Everitt-Moore by giving them credit to buy a much needed water heater or any other items, letting them pay whenever they could, whatever they could, sometimes never making a ticket but taking their word for it when they said it was paid off. After several bouts in and out of the hospital his condition kept getting worse. He went into LTCC because he could no longer care for himself. Bill loved everybody there and they loved him! He was there from March 28 to July 4th. His loving family was with him when he took his last breath and went peacefully to his Heavenly Home. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years Eunice (Harmon) Moore, Son Terry Clarence Moore, Son-in-law Craig Claunch, Father Chester Earl Moore, Mother Glenna (Ryan) Moore, Sister Nena (Moore) Edens, Brothers Joe Galen Moore and Lonnie Frank Moore, Sister in law Marge (Swingle) Moore, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and other relatives. Those left here who will miss him dearly are, Daughters Barbara Jean (Moore) and husband Jack Cavanaugh of Gridley Kansas, Glenna Marie Claunch of Rocky Ford, CO, Sandra Fae and husband Todd Daggett of Fort Collins CO, Daughter in law Suzy (Moore) and husband Kenny Steward Panhandle TX, Sisters Mary and Husband Ted Lasley, Thelma Arbuthnot all of Springfield, CO, Brother Jim and wife Teri Moore of Granite City IL, Sister in law Kathrine and husband Dennis Dinneen of Golden, MO. Also surviving are his Grandchildren Darrin (April) Hetrick of Iowa, Ashley and Kenny Myers of Cedaredge, CO, Angie and Sheldon Jackson of Siloam Springs Arkansas, Austin (Heather) Mullins of Louisiana, Craig Claunch of Cedaredge, CO, Blade and Lainey Mullins of Springfield, CO, Kristel (Chris) Jones of Severance CO, Brett and Mikaela Moore of Amarillo TX, Ben and Morgan Moore of Spearman TX, 14 Great Grandchildren, Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Bill was one great man, a true example of how a born again Christian should live. He is loved and missed by all. The "Bill Moore Family Memorial Fund" has been established at the Colorado East Bank and Trust for those who wish to express their sympathy. The funds will be used to purchase a new score board for the Springfield Longhorns.