WILLIAM “BILL” HAROLD MOORE AND ELLA GRACE (ORR) MOORE

William “Bill” Harold Moore, 97, of Traverse City was called home to be with the Lord on December 21, 2022 at Traverse Manor. Ella Grace (Orr) Moore, 95, of Traverse City entered eternal life January 7, 2023 also at Traverse Manor. Bill was born May 13, 1925 in Detroit to the late William E. and Pearl M. (Adair) Moore. He honorably served our country in the United States Army Air Forces during WWII. Ella was born on December 20, 1927 in Detroit to the late James W. and Matilda A. (Luxford) Orr. Bill graduated from Traverse City High School in 1943. He volunteered for the Army Air Forces as he wanted to learn to fly. He attained his pilot wings in May 1945 after Advanced Flying School in Napier Field, Alabama. He attended Alma College on a G.I. Bill where he also played on the college baseball team. Ella graduated from Northville High School in 1946. After graduation she attended Alma College. Bill and Ella met while attending Alma College at a picnic event on the banks of Pine River in 1946. They were married on November 22, 1950 at the Presbyterian Church in Redford. Ella graduated that spring from Alma College with an education degree and accepted a second grade teaching position in Birmingham. Bill graduated the year before with a business degree and was working for Standard Accident Insurance in Detroit. Bill was offered a better job with an insurance company in Grand Rapids and they quickly moved. Ella found a first grade teaching position at Alger School. They enjoyed their time there making many friends over the next five years. In the spring of 1955, with their first son less than a year old; they decided to take a huge chance and move to Leelanau County with no jobs, where Bill’s family had lived since 1938 at Coldbrook Farm on Fouch Road in Solon Township. Bill’s parents gave them a lot to build on and by the fall a new home was finished where they raised three more sons. Coldbrook Beach Campground on Lake Leelanau, who Bill’s parents started; was also a big part of Bill’s life. He helped his parents while growing up and upon returning to the farm after he and Ella were married. Bill and Ella along with his sister Doris and brotherin- law Dean operated the campground after his parents passed. Today it is still operated by the Moore/DeLong families. Bill worked at Michigan Mutual Auto in Traverse City for the next 29 years. Ella resumed her teaching career in 1956 at Central Grade School and then at Norris Elementary; teaching first grade. Then teaching remedial reading classes at Interlochen, Long Lake and at Traverse City Junior High retiring in 1987. Ella attained her Masters degree in education at Michigan State University. Ella taught so many children how to read through the years. She also enjoyed teaching many Sunday School classes at West Bay Covenant Church where she also helped start a daycare. Bill and Ella were members here for many years. Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing and sharing that tradition with his sons. Ella loved her flowers and garden. They both enjoyed their sons’ and grandchildren’s sports and school activities! After retiring, Bill and Ella spent many winters in Florida at Avon Park and Sebring. They were avid Detroit Tiger fans and attended many Spring Training games in Florida. They loved hosting many family dinners that always began promptly at 6 PM! The grandchildren brought so much joy to Bill and Ella! They will be fondly remembered as wonderful parents, grandparents and friends. The commitment and love they shared for over 72 devoted years of marriage is so inspiring and heartwarming! Bill and Ella are survived by their four sons. William R. Moore of Traverse City, Robert (Beth) Moore of Denver, Douglas (Jeanne) Moore of Las Vegas, Keith (Sara) Moore of Traverse City and grandchildren Kelsey, Keenan, Maxwell, Lance and Samuel. Bill was preceded in death by his sister Rita (Jim) Milliron and is survived by his younger sister Doris (Dean) DeLong and nieces. Ella was preceded in death by her brother Robert (Grace) Orr and sisters Jean (Bill) Kelly, Dorothy (George) Hunter and survived by her nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at Traverse Manor and Michigan Hospice Services for their care with Mom and Dad. Funeral services for William and Ella will take place at 11 AM on Friday, January 20 at West Bay Covenant Church with a visitation beginning one hour prior. Memorial contributions may be directed to the church or Alma College. Kindly share thoughts or memories with the family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff. com. A Veterans Memorial service for Bill and Ella is also being planned at Solon Cemetery in the spring.