August 6, 1938 – September 13, 2015
William Paul Moser was born August 6, 1938 to Paul Augustine and Margret Alice (Hite) Moser in Ontario, Oregon. William’s (Bill) childhood days began in Vale, Oregon, early school days were in Drewsey, Oregon, and he attended high school in Crane, Oregon. While in high school, he participated in football, basketball, and track. After graduating from Crane in 1956, Bill attended the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho for two years. On July 19, 1958 Bill married Ruth Erquiaga of Denio, Nevada in Burns, Oregon. He transferred to Oregon State University (OSU), in Corvallis, Oregon and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Range Management.
While in college, Bill worked summers for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) doing range surveys and fighting fires. After graduation he worked for Oregon State College as an extension agent in Lakeview for 10 years. In 1965 Bill and wife Ruth purchased the Erquiaga family ranch in Denio, Nevada. It became their permanent home in 1970 and continues to be carried on today.
Bill served as president of the Oregon Cattleman’s Association (District I) from 1998-2000 and vice president in 2004-2005. He was an active member of many organizations including, OSU Alumni Association, Millennium Member of National Rifleman’s Association of America, and various organizations.
Bill served his community as a school board member for Fields Elementary and Crane Union High school, and as President of the Denio Community Club. He played an integral role in getting the basketball gym built in Denio after the community hall burned down in 1979.
Bill liked to hunt and fish, especially with kids and family. He was passionate about sports and dedicated much of his time to helping rural children learn life skills through basketball. A favorite thing to do was coaching rural basketball (over 20 years) in Denio, Nevada, which included children from Fields and Jackson Mountain schools. He was also an avid sports fan faithfully and tirelessly attending football, basketball, volleyball, and track events of his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends children throughout their grade school, high school, and college years.
Survived by wife Ruth (57 years), daughter Teresa (Greg) Jones, son Joseph (Stacey) Moser, grandsons Chris Jones, Paul (Hannah) Jones, granddaughter Taylor Campbell, grandson Lance Campbell, sisters Patty Warton, Charlotte (Darrell) Northrop, Donna (Forrest) Wilson, brother Norman (Anne) Clark, sister Jeannie (Edward) Voltin, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to either the Crane, Adrian, Nyssa Athletic Clubs, or the Denio Community club in care of Lafollette’s Chapel in Burns, Oregon at 332 W. Monroe St., P.O. Box 488, Burns, Oregon 97720. A memorial service will be held October 17, 2015 at 11:00 AM in Burns, Oregon at the Burns Fairground Memorial building.
