Col. William Edward "Bill" Moore, Sr., U. S. Army Retired

Col. William Edward "Bill" Moore, Sr., U. S. Army Retired, age 82, of Long Beach, MS, passed away Thursday, October 28, 2010, at his home. Bill was born in Loretto, TN, February 13, 1928, the son of Miley Columbus Moore and Clara Riddle Moore. He was united in marriage to Eileen J. Grinder June 5, 1945, and to this union two children were born. Eileen preceded him in death on May 1, 1980. On May 28, 1983, Bill married Earlene Stanfill who survives. Bill was a longtime member of St. John's Catholic Church in Gulfport and is currently a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Long Beach. He served his country in the U. S. Army and the Army National Guard for over 34 years, retiring as a Colonel in the Alabama Army National Guard on March 1, 1984. He later worked in Civil Service as a Communications-Electronics Manager. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Eileen, and a brother, Buddy Moore. Surviving Bill is his wife, Earlene Moore, one son, William E. "Billy" Moore and his wife, Becki, of Monte Vista, CO; one daughter, Joy Saverese and her husband, Russell, of Saucier; three granddaughters, Amanda Snowden and her husband, Jeremy, of San Clements, CA, Tiffany Russell and her husband, Brad, of Clarksville, TN, and Brittany Saverese of Saucier; and his three great granddaughters, Emily Jay Snowden of San Diego, CA, Gwen Gardache and Jasmine Gardache of Saucier. Bill is also survived by his three sisters, Madelene Henkel of Lawrenceburg, TN, Nadine Nichols of Seattle, WA, and Kathryn Augustine of Rodeo, CA. Last, but not least, is Bill and Earlene's special friend, neighbor and caregiver, Rebecca Humphrey, whose love, friendship and devotion helped them both through Bill's last days. Everyone who knew Bill appreciated his keen wit, sense of humor, his loyalty to all people and love for his God. He was a great leader to the many servicemen he commanded during his military career. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and many friends. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, November 1, 2010, at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Long Beach where friends may visit one hour before service time. Entombment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport with full military honors. Father Thomas White will be officiating the mass. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, in Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.