William ‘Bill’ Amon Moles Jr.

William “Bill” Amon Moles Jr., age 84, of Oak Ridge, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 29, after a brief bout of pneumonia.

He was born July 22, 1928, in Brotherton, Tenn., the son of William A. and Ermine Judd Moles.

He and his mother moved to Oak Ridge in 1944 to live with his grandmother, two aunts, and uncle after his father passed away. He graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1946, joined the Navy, and served on the USS Harry F. Bauer (mine-layer).

He returned to Oak Ridge after two years of service and attended the University of Tennessee. He started his career at Union Carbide as a time keeper in 1951, and always enjoyed serving as an usher at the “Carbide Christmas Party” for children. He also managed the Grove Theater in the evenings until 1968. After 43 years, he retired in 1993 from Union Carbide/Martin Marietta as a supervisor in Procurement Coordination.

His favorite hobby was being with his family: his wife of 56 years, Virginia (Jenny); son, William A. Moles II (Rocky), daughter-in-law, Karen, and grandson, Jackson; and daughter, Melissa (Missy), and son-in-law, David Neusel.

In the early 1950s, he was president of the “Ridge Rollers” roller skating club, and he was invited to become a professional roller skater. However, as he told his children, “There didn’t seem to be much of a future in roller skating,” so he declined the offer.

In 1964, he and Jenny became avid square dancers, and he formed and was president of the “Dancing Squares” square dance club for many years. Over the years, he and Jenny loved to travel around the country to square dance festivals and weekends, visiting and dancing with friends, and they continued dancing until February of this year.

He never met a stranger. He thoroughly enjoyed talking to people, regardless of their status or the circumstances, and lived by his philosophy that “You can say anything you want to say, to anybody you want to say it to, as long as you say it the right way.”

He was a member of Kern Memorial United Methodist Church when it formed in the early 50s, and was involved in many aspects and activities at the church, including assistant scout master of the Boy Scout Troop.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Kern Memorial United Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends Sunday, Dec. 2, from 1:30–3:30 p.m. at Kern Memorial United Methodist Church. The funeral will follow at 3:30 p.m. with Rev. Don Morris officiating.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, Dec. 3, at 12 p.m. (CST) at Paran United Methodist Church Cemetery in Overton County.

Weatherford Mortuary is handling the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.