William ‘Bill’ Moe
Feb. 1, 1940–June 25, 2018
William “Bill” Moe was born Feb. 1, 1940 in The Dalles, Ore. He passed away at age 78 at St. Charles Hospital in Bend, after a brief illness.
Bill was born in The Dalles, but grew up in Portland and graduated from David Douglas High School in 1958. Bill had an enthusiasm for fast cars and was “encouraged” to join the U.S. Navy by a judge that saw Bill in his courtroom a few too many times for drag racing.
Bill served in the U.S. Navy in India and served during the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 as part of the Naval signal corps.
After the Navy, Bill and his brother Chuck joined their father, Wilfred Moe, in forming W.G. Moe & Sons, Inc. in Portland. The company grew from a one backhoe landscaping business to major regional company specializing in excavation, concrete and utility work throughout the west. Bill and Chuck employed up to 100 employees during their peak years and viewed their employees as extended family.
Bill was very active in the construction industry and was a long-time member of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) where he mentored many people and served as the AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter president in 1997.
When not working, Bill was a passionate golf enthusiast and played for many years. (He never got a hole in one, but his wife Georgia did!) He was unrelentingly generous with his time and talent for the many charitable causes he championed. His charitable passion was motivated by his deep Christian faith. From sponsoring kids in a basketball camp, to helping a school for deaf children, to helping the homeless, Bill impacted thousands of lives through his tireless charitable efforts.
Bill retired from W.G. Moe & Sons, Inc. in the early 2000s and moved to Bend. He returned to his classic car loving roots and was an active car club member where he proudly showed off his yellow ’49 Chevy. Bill embraced a new post retirement career as community relations director for The Shepherd’s House. He raised funds, recruited volunteers and mentored men struggling with homelessness and addiction. As he had in his earlier years, he tackled the work with boundless energy, motivated by his Christian faith.
Bill was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. Bill and his wife Georgia have four daughters and one son. They have 13 grandchildren.
Bill was an active member at Bend Nazerene Church and a celebration of his life will be held there at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 30, 2018. In lieu of flowers, or in memory of Bill, please make a charitable contribution to the Shepherd’s House in Bend, Oregon.
Arrangements are through Autumn Funerals of Bend, Oregon.