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 Read More
