William Jacob Moore

MOORE William Jacob Moore, 93, passed away on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 after a long battle with congestive heart disease. Bill was born 3 months and 3 days before the end of World War I on August 8, 1918 in Jackson, Ohio. He was orphaned at a young age and worked at many odd jobs in order to support himself throughout his early years and throughout The Great Depression. Bill was drafted into the army and reported for duty at the Fort Hayes Induction Center in Columbus, Ohio on December 8, 1941. After basic training, he participated in several major campaigns in the South Pacific theatre including Leyte Gulf, Manila, the Fiji Islands and New Hebrides. He was discharged from the Army in 1945, and took a job as a streetcar driver in Columbus, Ohio. In his book, The Greatest Generation, Tom Brokaw states that those men returning from service after World War II “became once again ordinary people, the kind of men who always have been the foundation of the American way of life.” As a member of the Greatest Generation, Bill undoubtedly was one of these men—patriotic, hardworking, honest and practical. He met the love of his life, Dorothy Koenig, in 1946 while driving on the Livingston Avenue streetcar line, and they were married on May 3, 1947. Bill later worked for the Columbus Transit Company and COTA where he received numerous awards for his courtesy, safe driving and tenure. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends for his candor and sense of humor. He is preceded in death by his son, William Jay Moore, who passed away on August 12, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy (Koenig) Moore; son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Peggy Moore of Dublin, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Holly Ann LaCotta Moore of Belle Vernon, PA; grandchildren, Megan, Tony and Jamie Moore of Columbus, OH; sister-in-law, Mary Drumheller of Canal Winchester, OH; nephews and nieces, Howard and Pam Everitt, Patti, Mary and Robert Drumheller and John, William and Eric Koenig. Friends may call Noon until 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 29, 2011 at RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, 515 High Street, Worthington, OH 43085. A Private Graveside Service will be held for family.