William Gerald Moore

Mr. William Gerald Moore, age 78, husband of Jackie Sanders Moore of 102 Cherokee Ave., Union, passed away Friday, November 29, 2024.

Mr. Moore was born in Murphy, NC, December 23,1945, a son of the late Bergan and Ethel Evans Moore. He was a graduate of Murphy High School, attended Hiwassee College in East Tennessee before transferring to the University of Georgia where he received his undergraduate degree in forestry and his master's degree in wildlife biology from the UGA School of Forest Resources. Mr. Moore was an active member of Mt. Joy Baptist Church

Mr. Moore spent 42 years with the S.C. Wildlife and Marine Resources Department (now the SC Department of Natural Resources) beginning in the early 1970s. He first established residence in the SC low country as the Department's White-tailed Deer Research Biologist.  In that capacity he conducted a statewide study of the whitetail's reproductive capacity.  He also supervised a 7-year project at the Dennis Wildlife Center's deer research facility in Bonneau.  A notable result of that project was the development of a measuring device to determine the age of fetal deer and its use in determining breeding seasons.  This device is now used by wildlife biologists throughout the whitetail's geographic range. Gerald was promoted to the position of the SC Department of Natural Resource's Statewide White-tailed Deer Project Leader and moved to Columbia.  His bashful nature was offset by his ability to correspond through writing.  He published numerous articles in newspapers, sporting magazines (including the SC Wildlife magazine), and several technical journals.

Following a stint in the Department's Columbia office, Gerald moved to Union in 1990 as the Central Piedmont Regional Wildlife Director.  He retired from that position after an enjoyable and productive 40-year career.  During the later stage of his profession Gerald was a stalwart promoter and organizer in the establishment of youth hunts and hunts for mobility-impaired hunter. Gerald's primary interests were GA Bulldog football, Atlanta Braves baseball, hunting and fishing.  Above all, he was most proud of his fishing prowess, and always excited about the ensuing backyard fish fries that resulted.

Surviving in addition to his wife is a sister-in-law, Kathy Moore of Pacolet; three step-daughters, Melanie Inman and husband Mark of Union, Allyson Wentz of the home, and DeCole Gallman and husband Jamie of Union; a step-son, Dewey "Kip" Petty and wife Tracy of Jonesville; ten grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several cousins from North Carolina and Georgia. He was predeceased by a sister, Marilin Moore and a brother, John G. Moore.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, December 5,2024 at Mt. Joy Baptist Church at 11:00 AM, conducted by Rev. Brad Goodale, and Mr. Joe Hamilton. Visitation will follow the service at the church.

Active pallbearers will be Dustin Blanton, Daniel Blanton, Jack Wentz, Jeb Gallman, Jeff Witt and Brady Manus. Employees and former employees of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources are asked to sit as a group as Honorary Pallbearers.

Interment will follow in the Mt. Joy Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will be at the home of DeCole and Jamie Gallman, 109 Cudd Lane, Union.

Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to a charity of choice.