Willard B. (Bill) Moore
September 1, 1931 – December 3, 2017
Former Minneapolis resident Willard “Bill” Moore passed away in December 2017 at the age of 86, in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he lived with his wife, Paula Moore.
During his years in Minneapolis, Bill loved to jog around Lake Harriet and run with the Hash House Harriers running club, take in exhibits at the Walker Art Center, see classic and foreign films at the Uptown Theater, and try new local restaurants. He was an early “foodie” and loved to explore in his cooking and dining. He held a much-loved annual garlic party that was a nod to the cultural and gastronomical importance of the allium, as well as a way to bring people together over good food and comradery.
Bill moved to Minneapolis in 1978 to work briefly for the Minnesota Historical Society’s Folklore department, before going on to other projects. He worked with ESL educators in the Hmong community, taught Composition and Folklore at Hamline University, and was a guest curator of exhibits at the University of Minnesota Art Museum, including Circles of Tradition, an exploration of Minnesota Folk Art. He contributed to publications including the Minnesota Ethnic Foods Cookbook.
In his later years, Bill pursued his interests in painting and academic and fiction writing, including a blog on food in the arts, and a novel that he was authoring with his son Joshua.
Among his many interests and passions, Bill was especially fond of lilacs, good food, good jazz, apple pie and a strong martini. He is survived by his wife Paula Moore, children Robert, Brian, Jennifer and Joshua Moore, 5 grandchildren and former wives Emily Moore and Nancie Brown. Preceded in death by his son, David Moore.