It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of William “Bill” Moeller, a cherished resident of Centralia, Washington, who departed this life on Sept. 9, 2024, at the age of 96. In accordance with his wishes, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered on Seminary Hill Natural Area, which he loved.
He was born in Tacoma, Washington, on May 5,1928, to Arthur and Lillian (Harrison) Moeller. He attended Concordia School in Parkland, Washington, and attended Concordia Academy in Portland, Oregon, before graduating from Stadium High School in Tacoma, Washington.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946 and served in various posts in the far east, including Armed Forces Radio. He was a combat veteran of the Korean War, as a member of the 187th Regimental Combat Team.
He made radio his life’s work upon being discharged. He was a founding partner of KUEN in Wenatchee. He sold his interest in the station and moved to KELA in Lewis County in 1960. After retiring from broadcasting in 1993, he opened a used book business, Huckleberry Books.
While working nights at KELA, Moeller attended Centralia College, graduating with highest honors at the head of the class of 1969.
He was elected mayor of Centralia under the commission form of city government and served one term beginning in 1980. In 1995, he was elected to three terms on the Centralia City Council.
Bill Moeller was well known throughout the Northwest states for his portrayal as Mark Twain, and gave his final performance in that role as a benefit for the Chehalis Library in 2007. He was active for over 30 years in the Evergreen Playhouse and, later, in several Centralia College productions as well as singing in the college choir. He also performed annually on stage at the Southwest Washington Fair singing and playing his ukulele.
Bill wrote a weekly column for The Daily Chronicle titled “I Was Just Thinking…” for many years until after his 95th birthday.
He met and married Frances Nugent in Tacoma in 1952 when both were working in radio. They had two children and then moved to Adna, Washington in 1960, later moving to Centralia in 1967. He married Dr. Marina Kavalchuck, a Russian psychologist, in 1993, and Corine Aiken in 2000. All marriages ended in divorce.
Family survivors are Lisa Luken, of Washington, Georgia; Matthew Moeller, of Olympia, Washington; and grandson, Sean Eaton, of Seattle.
At his request, there will be no traditional funeral service.
