Willis R. Moore

Willis Richard Moore, age 91 of Abilene and former Coleman resident, died Wednesday, April 6, 2005 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene.  Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 8, 2005 at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Jerry Don Mitchell officiating.  Burial will follow in the Coleman City Cemetery, under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Willis was born August 26, 1913 to Urias Pleasant Moore and Mary Elizabeth Green Moore, near Grosvenor in Brown County, Texas.  He graduated from Coleman High School, married Margaret Pitts and worked as a hotel manager and insurance salesman for many years.  In later years, he worked for the Abilene YMCA as a masseur.  He was reportedly the oldest licensed masseur in the State of Texas.  He was also a long-time member and deacon at University Baptist Church and a member of the Knights of Pythians.  Willis was a wonderful husband, brother, father, grandfather and uncle.  He loved his family, his work, his church, his service club and the long conversations with his friends at the coffee shop.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Moore of Abilene; one son, Richard (Ricky) Moore of Abilene; one daughter, Margaret Elizabeth (Beth) Hendler of Seattle, Washington; one sister, Mary Lena Ray of Alpine; one grandson, Austin Moore Hendler of Seattle, Washington; one niece, Maurine Mitchell White of Abilene and two nephews, Robert Mitchell of Abilene and Jerry Mitchell of Alpine.