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Dr. William “Billy” Fred Moore
William (Billy) F. Moore was born January 24, 1938 to Fred and Mary Elizabeth (Rentz) Moore. The oldest of six siblings, Moore grew up in the country between Marion Junction and Orrville, Alabama and attended school in Orrville, which was a short distance down the road. After high school, he attended Livingston State College then transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi where he obtained a B.S. in biology. Two years later, Moore earned his M.S degree in plant pathology from Mississippi State University. In 1965, Moore was hired by the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service as Mississippi’s first Extension Plant Pathologist and became Acting Leader of the Extension Plant Pathology Department in 1972. During this time, Moore met and then married Mary Beth (Hamblin) and they had two children. While serving as Extension plant pathologist, Moore was responsible for informing the public on plant diseases of importance to Mississippi and how losses from these diseases could be prevented. Moore also established Mississippi’s first plant disease clinic and the first nematode lab. In 1974, while still employed full time with Mississippi State University, Moore earned his PhD in plant pathology and became Leader of the Extension Plant Pathology Department. In 1986, the Extension Plant Pathology Department and the Entomology Department were combined and Moore assumed leadership of both. Extension Plant Pathology was combined with research Plant Pathology in 1989 and Moore remained a leader of Extension Plant Pathology. While providing leadership to Extension Plant Pathology, Moore was also responsible for developing and implementing numerous statewide educational programs on the identification and control of diseases of soybeans, rice and corn and represented the United States as its Plant Pathology expert in resolving embargoes on soybean seed shipments to Mexico and the European community.
Dr. Billy Moore retired from the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service January 31, 1992, but did not slow down. He traveled throughout the state assisting farmers and other Extension workers with diseases and problems they encountered on their farms and in their crops. Issues he dealt with in the past are used today as references for assisting with new or unidentified diseases and in training new agents. His expertise and knowledge continued to be sought after by many throughout the United States and in other countries.
Billy Moore was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a member of Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed spending time gardening and working in his yard. Family and lifelong friends played a big role in his life. Former co-workers and people he interacted with in the fields were family to him.
He is survived by his wife Mary Beth Moore; Daughter Cathy Aultman (Duane), Daughter Christina Moore; Granddaughters Stephanie Aultman and Mary Virginia Aultman; Brother Bobby Moore (Jenni); Sisters Betty Griffin and Kitty Grey Dees (Wayne); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Billy is preceded in death by his parents, William Fred Moore and Mary Elizabeth Rentz Moore and Brothers Charles Rentz Moore and Jack Douglas Moore.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, September 7, 2023 from 12:00-2:00 P.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Starkville, MS, with the service immediately following. Father Jason Johnson will conduct the service. Burial will be in Memorial Garden Park Cemetery in Starkville.
