Billy Dean Moore

Billy Dean Moore was born on September 28, 1938, in Wolcott, Indiana, to William and Fanny Moore.He was one of seven siblings.

After high school, Billy chose to drive long-distance big rig trucks, a career that took him across the country many times. One trip in mid-1960 brought him to California, where he met Jeane Dauphinee,the woman with whom he would spend his life. They married before Billy’s 1961 deployment to Korea with the U.S. Army.

Billy was drafted into the U.S. Army and served from 1961 to 1964, spending 14 months in Korea asa Specialist 5. When he returned to the U.S. in October 1962, he was welcomed home by his lovely wife, Jeane, and his 6-month-old daughter, Mary.

After leaving the military, Billy and Jeane moved to California. They lived in Los Angeles for a coupleof years before moving to North Hollywood, where they welcomed their second daughter, Joy, in1967. Billy worked for Sears Roebuck for a few years, then began a 25-year career as a Senior Analyst for IBM Corporation in Los Angeles. In 1972, the family moved to Burbank, California, where Billy and Jeane continued raising their daughters and started two businesses: Moore Creations, square dance apparel shop, and a card, gift, and balloon shop.

In 2000, Billy and Jeane moved to Canyon Country, California. After retiring from IBM, Billy worked fora private security company in the Hollywood Hills, then took a job closer to home with AnitechSystems, Inc. in Valencia for four years. Always busy, Billy later worked for Big Lots in CanyonCountry for six years before requesting a transfer to Lafayette, Indiana. After 40 years in California,Billy and Jeane returned to Indiana with their daughter Joy, her husband Ken Backus, and their daughters, Amanda and Rebecca, settling in Lafayette to be nearer to Billy’s family. His daughter Mary Hoffman and her daughter Melissa Mayfield remained in California.

Throughout his life, Billy shared a deep love for his wife of 65 years and for his family. He was admired by all who knew him for his amazing work ethic and gentle, kind nature. Smart as a whip, hedidn’t say a whole lot. It was rare for him to share much about his childhood or his time in the Army,yet he always had a snarky comment or a funny line ready to make everyone laugh. He also always had a new picture of his family to share with others.

Billy, or Popi as we all affectionately called him, was adored by his daughters and granddaughters. Hewas always full of hugs and pinches for them, shared in their excitement over the littlest things, andalways said, “I love you. Moore never less.” As the great-grandchildren came along, he shared in the excitement of each new addition and couldn’t wait to hold the newest great-grandchild. He would play with the little ones for hours, enjoying every moment.

Billy was predeceased by his parents, William and Fanny Moore; his sisters, Merna Krumanaker and Eileen Wagner; and his brothers, James and Marvin. Billy is survived by his wife, Jeane Moore (Dauphinee); his daughters, Mary Hoffman (Frank) and Joy Backus (Ken); his granddaughters, Melissa Mayfield Jolly (Steve), Amanda Backus Bruce (Bradley),and Rebecca Backus Hofmyer (Jacob); and his great-grandchildren, Katie Stephens Jolly, Taylor Jolly, Kiera Backus, Owen Bruce, Aubre Backus, Natalie Bruce, Kaden Backus, Remington Hofmyer,Huntley Hofmyer, Elliette Hofmyer, and Paisley Hofmyer.

Popi, you will forever be in our hearts, we’ll see you as a new star in the sky at night and the angel on our shoulder, as the red cardinal in the winter snow and in the lightning bugs we see in July.

We love and miss you our Unforgettable Popi!