Bill Moore

Virgil “Bill” William Moore, 92, of Moravia, Iowa passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at the English Valley Care Center. Bill was a loving son, husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was born on June 18, 1932, to Charles “Elbert” and Vera Minnesota Callen Moore in Albia, Iowa. Bill married the love of his life, Janice, on August 22, 1953, and they were married for 71 happy and humorous years. He now rests peacefully in the hands of the Lord and will be deeply missed.

Bill was drafted during the Korean War and joined the United States Army in 1954. He was stationed in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and served in Japan during the war. He was honorably discharged in 1956. In 2018, he took a “trip of a lifetime” when went to Washington D.C. on an honor flight with his two granddaughters.

Upon his return from Japan, Bill went into farming with his brother DeWayne and his dad Elbert. They had chickens, sheep, hogs, dairy cattle, and then registered black angus in later years, along with raising corn and soybeans. He retired from farming at 65 in 1997.

Bill was very active in his children’s lives. He was involved in 4-H as club leader while his children were active showing steers and participating in pageants and demonstrations. He also served as President of the Moravia School Board for several years.

Bill also was an active member of the Chariton Valley Electric Co-Op (CVEC). He served 13 terms, totaling 39 years, as Director for District 1. He also served nine years on the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives Board, represented CVEC on the Southern Iowa Services, LLC Board and the State Government Relations Committee. He also served as board President from 1986 to 2001.

Bill was known for his humor and loved to watch Hawkeye sports. He enjoyed spending time with his family and always requested coconut pie at family gatherings. He also loved ice cream and had some before bed almost every night. His brother and sisters could attest that he was very ornery growing up–a personality trait he carried into adulthood.

He is survived by his four children, Doug Moore of Oskaloosa, Suzanne (Joesph) Strano of Davenport, Julia (Christopher) Parrish of Williamsburg, and James (Neena) Moore of Denver, Colorado; seven grandchildren, Shane Moore, Lauren Parrish, Molly Parrish, Nellie (Charles) Yoder, Jayesh Moore, Jaden Moore, and Jaena Moore; one great-grandchild Lincoln. Bill is also survived by his brothers-in-law Ted Henderson and Ronald Henderson and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Vera (Callen) Moore; his parents-in-law Theodore and Elsie Henderson; his brother, DeWayne Moore, sisters Joanne Turner, Mildred Hiner; sisters-in-law Patty Henderson, Mary Alice Henderson, and Mabel Moore; and nephew, Russ Moore.

He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Janice, who passed four days prior on November 20, 2024.

Bill was a funny and kind man and will forever reside in our hearts.

Joint funeral services for Bill and Janice will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia with Pastor Richard Grimes officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia, opening to the public at 3:00 p.m., with family present from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment with military rites will follow services in Hillcrest Cemetery in Moravia. Memorials may be directed to the Iconium Methodist Church, Essence of Hospice of Amana, or Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.

Bill and Janice ~ American Love Story
Bill and Janice met when Janice was still in high school, she was a cheerleader for Blakesburg High School and Bill went to watch a basketball game. They were married on 22 August 1953 when Janice was just seventeen and Bill was twenty one, but as Janice was fond of telling her kids, she had graduated and had a full time job (although Janice did have to get permission from her parents because she was so young). Bill was drafted not long after their wedding and they moved to Ft Smith Arkansas. When Bill left for Japan, Janice moved back to Iowa to stay with her parents until Bill returned. They settled down in a tiny house in Iconium, Iowa and Bill began farming with his brother DeWayne and his dad Elbert. The time Bill spent overseas was really the only time they were separated in 71 years of marriage.
Throughout the years, they did many things together (or often, at the same time). For example, after Janice broke her arm, Bill broke his arm just a week later - perhaps out of sympathy (but really from slipping on ice). Years later, they would both end up in the hospital with pneumonia just across the hall from each other. They had his and her mowers and enjoyed mowing the yard at the same time. They spent many hours gardening and debating the presence of farm cats in the house. They also canned veggies, ate ice cream, watched Hawkeye sports, traveled, and enjoyed life on the farm. They routinely picked on each other, with Bill being the instigator most days.
It is fitting that, after 71 years of marriage, Bill and Janice decided to see each other again after only four days of separation.