Obituary of William Preston Moran

William Preston Moran, Ph.D., was born June 22, 1940 in Tulsa, OK to Joseph Alfred & Margaret Jane (Loughney) Moran and passed from this life surrounded by his family June 6, 2014 at the age of 73. From an early age, Bill demonstrated an innate interest in scientific investigation and aptitude for scientific studies that would shape the remainder of his academic and professional careers. Bill graduated from Cascia Hall in 1958 as a National Merit Scholar. In 1962, he graduated from the University of Notre Dame Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. Afterwards, he started graduate school at the University of Rochester, completing his doctorate (1968) in theoretical physics/elementary particles as a National Science Foundation Fellow. He accomplished these academic achievements despite losing his father when Bill was 18 and his mother six years later. Bill’s life was filled with many interesting opportunities including work at Brookhaven National Laboratory, the Department of Energy and NASA. He was a professor of physics at the University of Tulsa from 1968 to 1985 where he taught both physics and mathematics as well as served on master and doctoral committees. Starting in 1985, he left a tenured position at the university to work at Rockwell International, later owned by Boeing, and retired as a Technical Fellow from Boeing in 2005. Bill earned many honors throughout his life including appointments as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, National Science Foundation Fellow, University of Tulsa Faculty Fellow, and NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellow at the Marshall Space Flight Center. He also belonged to many professional societies including Sigma XI, the American Physical Society and the American Nuclear Society. Additionally, he authored numerous publications and professional presentations, wrote a multitude of technical reports, provided technical consulting and was awarded several patents. Bill enjoyed life apart from work as past president of the Tulsa Southeast Lions Club, Cub Scout leader, volunteer for the Tulsa Public Schools Science Fair, and more. Bill truly enjoyed reading, classical music, travel, Notre Dame football and giving the gift of knowledge. Above all, he loved his family and devoted most of his time and energy to his wife and children. His love, dedication and many personal sacrifices created a joyful family life. His guidance and exceptional character inspired his children to pursue science and engineering careers of their own. The loss of this brilliant individual, wonderful husband, superb father, brother, uncle, friend, and professor to many cannot be measured in words. He lived a Christian life. Preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Brian Moran and Thomas Moran, Bill is survived by his wife of 48 years, Creda Marie (Bedard) Moran; his daughters, Cristin Erin Moran and her husband Corey Radloff, and Marie Kathleen Moran; his son, Daniel William Moran; his sisters, Helen Bolton and husband Harold, and Joanne Lyons; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bill will lie in state 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Ninde Brookside Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at Christ The King Catholic Church. He will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery, after which a reception will be held at the Memorial Park Family Living Center. Ninde Brookside Chapel, 918.742.5556, ninde.com