William Moeller

“TROOPER DOWN” William (Bill) Michael Moeller, age 73, was granted his “Angel” wings and flew into the “Big Skies” on October 16, 2021, departing this world from the aftermath of the COVID-19 virus and heart complications. Bill was born in Billings, MT to Robert D. Moeller and Catherine B. Kennedy, as the third of six children. The Moeller family moved back East to NJ in the late 1950's. Over the years, Bill lived in NJ, NY, GA, MD, FL, VA, and PA. He moved back to MT three years ago, because his “Soul” was calling him to come back home to the place of his birth. Bill Moeller's younger years in the “Magic City” provided his wild/carefree/spontaneous “Soul”, with opportunities to “Scout” out and explore the majestic outdoors. These adventures planted the seeds of a life time passion for world travel with his “Faithful Service Dog, Sawdust.” He loved trail blazing in the woods/nature parks, climbing rocks/mountaineering, repelling from ropes, finding caves/buried treasures, using knives/axes, chopping wood/building campfires, sleeping in wild beast territories, shooting, hunting, swimming, and having family picnics/outings. He boasted about his fly fishing, salmon fishing, and deep sea fishing skills, catching a “Grouper and a Sailfish” in Florida. He often said, “He caught the big one today, but it got away.” He was a “Rough and Tough”, “True Blue Cowboy”, often seen around town wearing his Cowboy “Life” hat and “Black Stetson Cavalry” hat with pride. He was a “Man's Man, Handyman, Deck Builder, Leatherwork Maker, and Metal Detector”. He raced/fixed up cars, rode motorcycles . . . speeding by, and he frequented antique car shows. His personality was a pleasure to be around, for he was a “Funny” person, a Jokester, known for his “Unique Sense of Humor”, often telling hilarious jokes that made you laugh from your belly! He enjoyed, “taunting the gorillas at the Zoo”, sticking out his tongue and making a bigger chest at them. He spoke his mind, sharing his advice/opinions, rather than “biting his tongue.” His “Terms of Endearment” were reserved, yet he was very kind-hearted, giving, dependable, responsible, protective, loyal to his family/friends, and he always “had your back”, no matter what! He did crossword puzzles, wrote eloquent speeches, letters, business proposals, poems, and funny sayings. He fed his “Soul” reading inspirational-motivational-historical books, “Holy Scriptures”, “Spiritual Channeling—Physic topics, and praying and meditating daily. He flirted with the Ladies, “A LOT”, displaying his “Goood Loooking” and “physically fit” charismatic charms. He became an “Electronics/Scantron/Copier/Fax Machine Salesman for CANON and SCANTRON, and he could sell these items to Eskimos living in Igloos. He proudly served God, family, country, and his community! He was as a “Man of Honor”, Valor, Brevity, Strength, and Courage, seeking “Justice and Truth”, wherever he went. He was an Enlisted “ARMY VETERAN— VIETNAM WAR HERO”, “HONORABLE DISCHARGE”, “serving from April 21, 1970 to March 24, 1971”. Bill served with distinction in the famed “CHARLIE TROOP”, 1st Squadron, 95th Air CAVALRY” . . . the reconnaissance element of “1st Cavalry Division (AIRMOBILE), better known as the “THE FIRST TEAM”. He served with “The Headhunters” in the Avionics Support Group, as an “Avionics Communication Equipment Repairman” with a “Signal Corps” military occupational specialty. True to his nature, Bill, Specialist Fifth Class SP5 Moeller, volunteered to fly as a “Door Gunner” on different types of helicopter missions and was protecting his “Band of Brothers!” He is also reported to have volunteered, as an “Infantry Foot Soldier” with his best friend, “Tom W. Meade” on a patrol. This is the essence of his gallantry, to go “above and beyond the call of duty”, when required. He knew famous historical Snake Pilots: Randy R. Zahn “The Cindy Ann” and Walker A. Jones “The Crystal Ship”. His Best Friend was a Co-Pilot named Mark Hilton, who was known to all as “Baby San”. While overseas, he was stationed at “Phuoc Vinh and Tay Ninh in Vietnam”, “Song Bac in Thailand”, Laos, and Cambodia in the “III Corps Zone”, actively involved with battlefield combat action, during President Nixon's “Cambodia Incursion” in 1970. His chain of command consisted of 2nd Lieutenant Robert W. Wilcox and Captain (later Colonel) Robert Norton Tredway. He was in the Service Reserves for six years with one year war-time term. His achievements were “Bronze Star Medal”, “The Army Commendation Medal”, “Vietnam Service Medal w/BRONZE Service Star”, “The Vietnam Campaign Medal, “The National Defense Service Medal”, and the “Expert Badge with Rifle” device. After the war, he continued his friendship with fellow “Charlie Trooper Brothers”, going to reunions, being involved in several Veteran agencies, including the American Legion Post 4. He lived life to the fullest. His Mottos were: “WE CAN WE WILL!”, “Be All That You Can Be”, “If You Think You Can, You Will!”, “By the Words You Say, Back Them Up With Your Actions”, “Do What You Say . . .You Are Going. . . To Do”, “Put on your Boots, Tie the Straps Tighter, Stand Up, Fight Back”, “Hold your Ground with Truths and Justice for ALL”, and “Marching Onward and Forward Soldier!” He is survived by his daughter: Tracie Moeller; grandsons: Jacob Pack, Luke Needham; aunt: Marge McNally; brothers: Thomas Moeller, Peter Moeller, Paul Moeller; brother in-law: Richard; sister: Patricia Melone; sisters-in-law: Patricia Moeller, Anne Moeller; ten nieces and nephews; 12 great-nieces and nephews; other family, and many worldly friends. On Friday June 17, 2022, a “Celebration of Life” service will be held at St. Patrick Co-Cathedral at 12:00 noon, followed by full military honors at Father Dryer Court, and at 2:00 PM party at American Legion Post 4, 1540 Broadwater Avenue, Billings. See full obituary at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com. The family contact is email: sawdusttr111121@gmail.com. FLY HIGH! Bill Moeller and Sawdust. “Soar Higher than an Eagle Bird, for Your ‘Angel' wings were ready to fly, but our hearts were not!”