William F. "Bill" Moore

April 18, 1941 ~ April 12, 2023
Born in:
Dallas, TX
Resided in:
New Haven, CT
William Frederick (“Bill”) Moore
April 18, 1941 – April 12, 2023
Bill Moore made the world brighter. He saw the inherent dignity and brilliance in every person, and helped us all be the best version of ourselves.
He approached life with joy and humor, and was a consummate storyteller. Many of his stories were of his wild childhood antics, growing up alongside his brothers Leslie and Robert T. Moore in Dallas, Texas. He was raised by parents Robert L. and May Beth Moore, and nurtured by Ester Mary Richardson. As a child, he and his pet rooster, Chickaboo, were the best of friends.
Bill graduated from Yale University in 1963 with a BA in Architecture, then earned his MA in Architecture from Yale in 1966. He maintained a lifelong relationship with the university, serving on the board of the Association of Yale Alumni, as a director of the Yale Club of New Haven, a member of its Alumni Schools Committee, an Associate Fellow of Berkeley College, and as the architect of several buildings on campus. In retirement, he audited no fewer than 30 Yale courses, gleefully surrounding himself with new ideas and with youthful energy and intellect. Bill served as a parental figure for generations of Yale students who were far from home. Their friendship enriched his life in countless ways.
He practiced architecture for 45 years – most of that time as a partner in his New Haven firm Roth and Moore Architects. The buildings he and his colleagues designed include award-winning spaces for relationships and ideas to grow: libraries, schools, centers for religious life, an observatory, science centers, a theater and more. For every project, he dove into learning from people whose perspectives were different from his own. He was an artist, an appreciator of details and a gifted diplomat who loved to shepherd diverse stakeholders toward common ground.
In 1965, he married Julia Duff, the love of his life. He was a devoted parent to Lisa; a loving in-law to Vinetta; and the most playful and creative grandparent Kiran could dream of.
Bill’s community and chosen family were vast, and he welcomed everyone in with his powerful embrace. He knew how to celebrate life’s triumphs, as well as how to clear obstacles and help shoulder burdens when the going got tough. He famously offered to assist his beloveds with any and every task, and was a confidant and a sounding board to many. He honored all working people, especially those whose labor is undervalued but makes everything else possible. He was a champion of struggles for justice and the common good.
Bill found pleasure in simple things: lying in his hammock with the rustle of leaves overhead; unleashing the tumble of his grandson’s laughter; paddling his kayak in the cool waters of lakes, oceans and rivers. He had an eye and an appreciation for the natural divine.
While he accomplished much in life, he will be best remembered for how he made people feel: seen, valued and joyful. One of his care providers said he was “like a warm bowl of oatmeal on a cold winter day.” He was fully vibrant and vivacious right up until the second of two strokes in late February, 2023. At that point, he lost much of his ability to speak, but still was able to articulate what mattered most: “Thank you, wonderful people. I love you.”
Bill is buried in Grove Street Cemetery, in the heart of New Haven, the city he chose as his forever home. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 27th at 11:00 at Spring Glen Church, 1825 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, Connecticut.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s “Church of the Redeemer Community Legacy Fund.”
Sending much light in your journey back home.
On occasion I’d talk to Mr. Moore when he brought his car in for service.
Bill Moore was my kind of guy –
Always had a twinkle in his eye
And if you listened to what he had to say
It invariably brightened up your day
Bill Moore was probably the kindest, most unselfish, giving, and loving person I have ever known. He lived his faith, tirelessly and generously. The world and all those whose lives he touched have been blessed by the goodness of Bill. His memory will be forever close in the hearts of all who knew and loved him, most especially his beloved Julie and their family. Until we meet again, Bill, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Bill was a much needed reminder to me to slow down a bit during my time at Yale. He reminded me of the value of a good conversation, and of slowing down enough to really get to know the people around you. He was also unwavering in his excitement and support for my rowing, even coming to my senior day regatta! Such an energetic and positive man…. I’m sure he will be missed by many others for these traits.
I will never forget the day I spent with him seeing the buildings he created with Ashley’s Ice Cream milkshakes in hand. I will think of him warmly forever.
In the “old days” of values education, the 7th and ultimate step was, in essence, to walk your talk so well that your values are self-evident. Other than rare sightings on visits Stateside I’d only seen Bill and Julie a handful of times since you guided our youth group at Church of the Redeemer over 50 years ago, yet your care, acceptance and inspiration remain unwavering. With abiding gratitude Julie and for Bill, and with deepest condolences to Julie, Lisa, Vinetta and Kiran on your loss.
Bill was always so encouraging and supportive of all the drama work I did in New Haven, and fiercely proud of all of Lisa’s performances. Such a lovely man. My thoughts are with you Julie, Lisa, Vinetta and Kiran.
Bill and I always had the most pleasant conversations. Just when stopping along when walking or gardening- the usual neighborly things. When Cristian arrived he was immediately very accepting and warm.
Several years ago there was a party next-door at Bob and Christine‘s that Julie and Bill attended. He had on this costume that was an enigma to me at first. When he explained it, we had many many laughs over the hilarity and silliness of his concept: a black sweater with three white lines and a fork sewn to the middle one: a fork in the road.
What a beautiful and touching tribute to Mr. Moore. My heart goes out to your family and everyone that knew and loved Bill. I will always think of him in Ingalls Rink with a big smile, ready to greet me win or lose after my hockey games. He was a loyal supporter and friend. I am grateful for his mentorship and eagerness to take me and my Berkeley roommates under his wing.
Sending my thoughts your way as I will not be able to join Bill’s celebration of life tomorrow. It was a pleasure getting to know Bill along the way. He was such as gentle, kind soul. May you be surrounded by his light tomorrow and always.
Warmly,
Tricia
Miami Florida
I knew Bill when …
I met Bill in 1960, in the spring of his life. The promise of the life others have described was all there. The humor, the kindness, the warmth and charm and the talent were obvious. We stayed in touch over the intervening 60 years, but not as often as I would have liked. Living 3,000 miles apart can have that effect.
His passing makes it all the more imperative to husband the memories of our “bright college years” together. Alone among our circle of friends, Bill did not partake of spiritous beverages: “It dulls the mind and slows the reflexes” he would remind us. He kept his mind sharp for the profession he knew he would pursue.
I first learned of his passion for architecture in our junior year watching him draw the archways and courtyards of Trumbull college as part of his application to Yale Architecture School. By our senior year, he had been accepted and was already taking first year graduate architecture courses. Late nights over coffee, listening to him describe the design problems he was assigned. Looking at the models he meticulously prepared and hearing him talk about how his plan would meet the imaginary clients’ needs and desires on a challenging site. I remember these moments clearly while my own course work is lost to me now.
During every visit to New Haven over the years, Bill would share his latest project and its challenges. During our most recent visit he took us on a tour of campus buildings we had lived with but never fully appreciated as undergraduates as well as new additions to the campus (some of which were his.) His fascination with the little details and the stories they told was infectious.
After Architecture School, Bill could have returned to his native Texas, where success was assured. I once asked him why he did not. I wasn’t entirely satisfied by his answer. I think the real reasons were that he was meant to remain close to the Yale campus and that he would not have dreamed of taking Julie that far from her family and home. They were meant to be together and a part of the community they love and have called home for the past 57 years.
Everyone who ever knew Bill must feel a great sense of loss. The thought that we will never again share a story, a memory and a laugh is as inconceivable as it is painful. I will miss him. I already do.
What a special person Bill was! I miss his warmth and kindness and humor and I was so glad I lived near Bill and Julie on Everit Street so that we could be together and play Quiddler and other games and just have fun.
When I moved to Bainbridge Island near Seattle about 10 years ago I got a Moore bonus. Lisa and Vinetta had started their wonderful restaurant in Vancouver and of course Julie and Bill came out to visit so I got to enjoy them too!
Loving condolences to Julie, Lisa, Vinetta, and Kiran. Your husband and father and grandfather remains a powerful, positive influence to those of us lucky enough to have called Mr. Bill Moore our friend.