William Hayward Moran
March 7, 1920- May 22, 1991



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History

William Hayward Moran, the second son of John Bell and Serena, was born March 7, 1920. He gained his preliminary education at the Detroit University School and academic work at Avon Old Farms in Connecticut. Graduating from Avon Old Farms, William Hayward entered Cornell University where he studied architecture. Studies were interrupted by World War II and he joined the United States Navy.


Upon induction he received six months midshipman course at Columbia University where he graduated as an Ensign in October, 1943. Following this he was sent to the Pacific Coast and then assigned to the South Pacific area, where he served at Guadalcanal, Guam and the Battle of Pelileu. He was with the naval forces off the coast of Japan when that country capitulated. In the Fall of 1945 he was advanced in rank to Lieutenant (j.g.). He returned to the United States under orders early in 1946, and was transferred to the Navy Department, Special Devices Division, Washington, D. C. In early May, 1946, he was relieved from active duty.




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He then returned to Cornell to finish his studies. When the Moran family moved to California, he bought a Richard Neutra house in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles. With two associates, Bill started the Moriqui Oil Exploration Company, enjoying immediate success. During his lifetime, he was the proud owner of four boats. Serena I, a John Alden schooner, was his first. It was originally known as the Escapade. Serena II, a motor yacht, followed in the late 70’s. Many family parties and weekends were enjoyed on the Serena III (once the Chula Vista) in the early 1980’s and the Serena IV in the late 1980’s. All throughout Bill’s life, he was a summer visitor to his family home, Longue Vue, in Whitefield, NH. He belonged to the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, CA, the Los Angeles Country Club and the California Club in Los Angeles, and the Newport Harbor Yacht in Balboa, CA. Bill was a parishioner at the St. Martin of Tours Church in Brentwood.

 

Lifestyle

One of Bill’s greatest attributes was his uncanny ability to be nice to everyone, tolerant of so many differences. His lust for life continued to show as he asked every lady to dance at his table, drove nieces and nephews way out of his way, and was generous to a fault. He could sit through three cabaret shows, clapping and singing along waiting anxiously for more. All backroads were worth a trip-however overgrown. Traditions were important. One must always fold the flag the Navy way and remember to take it down every night. One must have a swim, followed by a nap in the "bunk" with a novel or the latest issues of Time and Newsweek. Five o’clock was cocktail time, and of course, time for a cigarette. Rigorous Navy routine made Bill say, I will never rise early in the morning ever again, nor will I ever have another cup of coffee. We will always miss you. Uncle Willy!

 

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I must go down to the seas again,
To the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall Ship
And a star to steer her by.
-John Masefield

Spoken at the funeral

by niece Lise G. Moran

   

Please enter any condolences you may have for the Moran family below.

 

Please send donations in honor of William Moran to:

Weathervane Theatre
Whitefield, NH 03598
http://www.weathervanetheatre.org

 


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