BHS Alumni & Friends Foundation Introduces 2024 Hall of Fame Member, the Late William Moore
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on November 03, 2024
The late William A Moore has been chosen as a 2024 inductee for the Bridgeport High School Alumni & Friends Foundation Hall of Fame. He was born in Clarksburg WV on April 4 1925, the son of Goldie and Calvin Moore. Growing up in a house that overlooked Hite Field with his older brothers Jack and Kenny. Over his lifetime he would be known as Bill, Fuzzy, Coach Moore, Mr. Moore and Boombah (by his grandchildren).
Coming of age during the depression years of the 1930’s he attended Chestnut Hills Elementary, Central Junior High, and Washington Irving High Schools. While at WI he excelled in sports lettering in football and track for three years and basketball his senior year. It was also during his high school years that he got the nickname “Fuzzy”. After graduating from high school Bill served in the Navy Seabees during World War II, a part of “the greatest generation."
Upon completion of military service he, like many of his fellow veterans, utilized the newly established GI Bill to attend college. He received a BS from WV Wesleyan College and an MA from WVU with graduate work at Morehead State University and Randolph Macon Woman's College.
In 1949 Bill began teaching and coaching at Glade Springs High School in Raleigh County WV for two years. Following that he came back to Harrison County where he would spend the rest of his 37 year career in education first to teach science and math at Central Junior High School (1951-1953) followed by teaching biology and coaching at his Alma Mater, Washington Irving High School (1953- 1966). Summers were spent painting for the school board in the early years and teaching summer school later on. In 1966 he became the Physical Education Supervisor for Harrison County Schools serving in that position until 1973 when he became principal of Nutter Fort Elementary School for one year. That was followed up by teaching science and math at Liberty High School 1975 and then on to his final position as principal of Bridgeport High School from 1976 to 1985.
“Fuzzy” as many people called him married Edith Flowers, also a teacher, in 1948 and family life began. They had three children starting with Andy in 1950 followed by Brad 1952 and Nancy 1955. Their house would never be quiet again. In the evenings the local radio stations blaring high school sports and during the day kids, kids, kids and more kids. A big sports fan he followed the Pirates, the Steelers and of course the WVU Mountaineers.
In remembering Bill Moore, and as many can attest, he was not just an advocate for students but an advocate for people in general. Few were the folks that he could not connect with.
He passed away at the age of 72 on September 5, 1997 in his hometown of Clarksburg, WV.
Joining William Moore in this year's hall of fame are Scott Simons, Julie Tomes, Tom Mellott, and the late William A. Moore. They will be honored Nov. 8 at the BHS vs. Lincoln football game and the Nov. 9 Hall of Fame Banquet at The "O" by Oliverio's. Read about Simons HERE, Tomes HERE, Mellott HERE and Compton HERE.
