William Joseph Moran, COL (Retired), USA was called home on 12 March. He was the last remaining member of the Melvin and Nellie Moran family. He was proceeded in death by his soulmate and wife, Rita (1989), his daughter Kelley (2018), and son Michael (2021). He is survived by daughter Tracey Buford (Mike), son Bill (Jennifer), and daughter Megan Tourdot (Matt) as well as 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
A product of the tough Bush neighborhood in Madison Wisconsin, Dad was a devout catholic (most of the time) and relied on his faith to get him through some extraordinarily tough times. Dad excelled in sports, graduating from Edgewood Catholic High School in Madison. Dad was extremely proud of this Irish heritage but was an American first.
Dad was a true patriot and deeply loved America. Enlisting in 1954, dad graduated from Officers Candidate School, Airborne School, Ranger School, the Armor Officers Basic and Career Courses, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. Dad had the immense honor of commanding the 1st Squadron, 10th United States Cavalry (Buffalo Soldiers) in combat in Vietnam. Dad also had the honor of being the Commanding Officer at Ft McCoy, Wisconsin.
Dad especially loved to deer hunt, killing his last buck at the age of 91. He took immense pride and joy in introducing his grand kids to deer hunting and was lucky enough to have the majority of his grandkids make their first kill while hunting with him.
Dad was a very humble man – it was never about him. In a life full of accomplishments, the thing Dad was most proud of defines him best. Mom, his soulmate, suffered a massive stroke that left her as an invalid with severe brain damage. Dad would not allow her to be placed in an institution as he considered that leaving her behind – something about ‘for better or for worse’. Instead, he brough her home where the family would care for her. Dad did this while still on active duty and raising five kids. He also took in and cared for his mother-in-law at the same time, until her passing. When dad retired, and with help from his kids, he was the primary healthcare provider for mom. Dad provided that care from 1975 until her death in 1990. What he was most proud of was that mom NEVER has a single bed sore in those 15 years. Never a burden, but a true labor of love. He thanked GOD for every single day he had with mom, no matter the circumstances.
Dad, thank you for what you did for mom, the family and our country. We are so happy you are reunited with mom, whom you have missed so terribly bad for so terribly long. You are so profoundly missed…. Keep your nose in the wind and your powder dry, and we’ll see you on the high ground.
The Moran family would like to express our sincere appreciation for dad’s caregivers, Karen, Amy and Sylvia. Your heartfelt care brought solace to the family and we always knew dad was in good hands. You are true angels.
An extended version of this obituary is on Legacy.com and at the website ritchieandpeach.com.
