Walter Samuel "Sam" Moss
Walter Samuel "Sam" Moss
Obituary
Guest Book
Walter Moss Obituary
WINSTON-SALEM - Walter Samuel "Sam" Moss, 54, departed Saturday, May 5, 2007.
A celebration of Sam's life will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at Grace Court in Winston-Salem.
Sam was born in Asheville, to the late Rev. and Mrs. Samuel Burns Moss. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Dido.
Sam was a life long musician who ran Sam Moss Guitars (conveniently located between New York and Miami) from 1982-2003. He played in numerous bands and mentored countless musicians.
Sam is survived by his sister, Ruth Moss of Greensboro; and numerous family members.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or Arbor Acres, in the name of Sam and Diane Moss.
"Sam has left the building."
Offer condolences at www. news-record.com/nr/obits/
This obituary was originally published in the News Record.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
October 17, 2014
mark davis so sorry for late arrival
he was my friend
we share a love for guitars
I have his 85 prs
it rest with mine
so sorry for your loss
it is also mine
the world was a better place
with him in it!
contact #983-5640
steve magnani
May 14, 2013
My name is Steve, I came to Italy to work in Yadkinville in 1993. One day I decided to buy a guitar and I found a shop in Winston Salem. That guitar is still with me after all these years, and through it, the soul of a musician continues to be alive, even from so far away ....love...
Jessica Jones
June 18, 2007
you always made me smile no matter what. A hug always seemed to make it all alright, whatever the reason was that produced the frown. we have grrrreat hair. you always knew just what to say.....i will never forget that.
kim, lucas, & john. middleton
June 7, 2007
from the ronnie middleton Family. the gift of God,s love from the boy,s, john & lucas, & my wife Kim to all concerned in this loss of our great friend, Sam. one thing we know is you just can,t measure the loss. Sam, the boy,s want to know if you,ll teach their Grandpa Milton the guitar? best to Sam, family, & friends. the Middleton clan. blues approved since 1991.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
ronnie middleton
June 4, 2007
i met sam for the 1st time around 90, or 91. so started a friendship in which i can say was a journey of learning from which i was the main beneficiary. lawyers, gun,s & money! & geetars too! Sam don,t go!
STEVE WOOTEN
June 3, 2007
SAM..YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. I BOUGHT ALOT OF GUITARS FROM SAM, AND ALSO SOLD HIM SEVERAL GUITARS. I REMEMBER I SOLD HIM A 1960 GIBSON SG CUSTOM, AND HE SAID IT WAS ONE OF THE NICEST GUITARS HE HAD EVER SEEN. SAM WAS A FINE PERSON, AND I WILL ALWAYS KEEP HIS MEMORIES CLOSE TO MY HEART. HEAVEN NOW HAS A SPECIAL PERSON THERE......STEVE WOOTEN
Phillip Craft
May 26, 2007
I began taking guitar lessons from Sam when I was just 14 and he hired me as a guitar instructor upstairs above his store ten years later.
In 1988 and 1989 I went full time and did nothing but teach guitar and hang out with Sam and his friends. It was one of the best times of my life. Sam was always someone that I could consult and talk to and he would listen and respond with good positive advice. Sam was kind, intelligent and very honest.
He was an amazingly talented guitarist. I looked up to him the same way I looked up to Eric Clapton.
He was really that great.
I will miss my good friend and mentor.
Mitch Easterer
May 22, 2007
Sam,
Great tunes in the 90's with
Litz Active!
Keep up the Jams in Heaven.
I still have my 1954 Cadillac
Hearse for shows.
Barry Oakly
May 18, 2007
Sam,
We will miss you and welcome you.
Keep the tunes and blues alive!
Bennie Foy
May 17, 2007
Sam
was not only a wonderful musician but a wonderful person as well. I had
the pleasure of being around him years ago when his Father was pastor
of my church in Stony Point. We had some great times and made some
awsome music together. As Joni Mitchell says "you don't know what
you've lost till it's gone".
jody & hinton hudson
May 15, 2007
sam, we love you and will miss you forever. thanks so much for our late night "marthas", as we know these conversations helped us both through hard times. thanks for always being there for me when i needed a friend. you are an awesome wheelchair driver. thanks for dealing with my hospitalization so soon after dido's death. i was shocked and honored to have you come to visit me in the hospital and wheel me down to the smoking lounge, even when you had to put me in the giant wheelchair. that was kind of funny, sid. your friendship has played a giant role in my life, and it seems rather strange that i won't hear your voice on the phone at 3 am, or awaken to the phone ringing, with walter s. moss on my caller i.d. damn, i will miss you sam, but i know, after our many conversations, that you are now with dido, which is where you've wanted to be for almost 9 years now. yours is a love that will never die, and we are all happy that you are together again. i know that i would want to be with hinton if he left this planet. we both love you and hope you both are at peace...with much love and utmost respect to you and dido, joanna lynne and hinton hudson
Charlotte Harris
May 15, 2007
Sam, I will miss you so. No one could ever measure up to the kindness you showed to me and everyone. Who's gonna make me stay up for days talking about everything and nothing? Who's gonna put headphones and paper towels on my head so I can hear this great old/new tone? When you met Dena and came into my life I had no idea what a profound impact you would make. I regret that we'll never get to testify again on this plane but I am soothed by the knowledge that you have found peace. I am so grateful for your friendship. I miss you man. I love you Sam.
PS when you find out what really happened to "Kennedy's head" could you let me know?
Marcus Ware
May 15, 2007
I'll never forget the first time I met Sam at the shop - he asked me, "You gonna be here for a minute? I'm hungry", set me up with a guitar and an amp, and took off out the door. I always relied on Sam for great gear and entertaining stories, as well as some choice "samese" while testing out guitars ("honkin' sticks" was one of my favorites).
You will be greatly missed!
Margaret Young
May 13, 2007
Ruth, We are so sorry to learn of Sam's death. I still have visions of him as a little boy walking to town with his Dad, and walking just like him. Through the years we kept up with you and Sam in letters and visits with Sam and Margaret. In her later years your mother was so well cared for by both of you. She was very proud of her children. Sam's life touched so many people, as evidinced in these entries. I believe he must have had his own kind of ministry as forthright as your father's. Know you are in our prayers.
Many blessings,
Margaret and Milton Young
Mark Niblock Farner
May 13, 2007
Sam,
Your influence on the local Winston
Music scene was huge!
Ed Bum-guard wrote a good one about you in the paper.
See ya at Ziggys!
Johnna Stewart
May 12, 2007
Sam, It is hard to say goodbye to someone who has always meant so much to our family. Thank you for all the times you were there for my mom (Shelby) and for all the laughs . Please give Dido a big hug for me. I miss you both, Johnna
Luchie Freeman
May 12, 2007
Sam, What can I say except that I loved you very much. I will ALWAYS cherish my memories of your crazy self popping into my hair salon late afternoons with, " Sid what time do you finish? We will have a little cocktail.... Well Sam keep that seat open beside you because I will be truly honored to have another cocktail with you someday. Rest in the place you dreamed of and give my best to Dido. Love
Luchie
David Redburn
May 11, 2007
I had the great pleasure of playing with Sam in several bands! First, in Upenshades with Coleman Hastings and David Akins but what I remember most was our time in the Rhythm Method with those same guys but also a great horn section! Sam was such a natural talent - really quite extraordinary! After the bands, Sam used to go by my parents place periodically just say hello. He was a genuinely delightful human being, kind, generous, and again very talented. Go in peace Sam!
Mike Prescott
May 11, 2007
What can I say about Sam? He was a class act, through and through. As a young teen growing up, Sam always gave me honest feedback that I consider valuable lessons in my musical career. I bought several guitars from Sam over the years and could always count on him for his expertise, knowledge and patience - especially when I was younger. You are truly missed Sam. Know that I will play a song on my Hamer in your honor.
Ed Rider
May 11, 2007
Sam, you were the kindest, most gentle music dealer I ever called on. God bless your soul!! I will allways remember you.
David Barker
May 11, 2007
Sam, was probably my biggest influence. I met Sam when I was 11 years old. He had just opened the store. My mom bought me a $125 guitar. I instantly liked him. He'd let me hang out in the store for hours every couple of weeks. As I got better, my guitars got better. I bought & traded tons of guitars with him, but it was the time together that meant the most to me. There were even times when he wouldn't sell me a guitar I thought was cool because it wasn't right for me. Years later, I understood why. He gave me lessons for a while, but just talking to him is where I learned the most. Sam was so important to me. I'll miss him.
Eric Schoulda
May 11, 2007
The first electric guitar that I bought in Winston-Salem, I bought from Sam. He was frequently kind and patient with me whenever I stopped by his shop to browse or maybe to ask what he knew about a particular guitar. I appreciated his straight from the hip views, very frank and of course, based on considerable knowledge and experience. I realize that, although he was a stellar musician, he was much more than that.
Steve Newsom
May 10, 2007
Sam, I am so thankful that i got to jam with you, hang out at the store and your home. You are and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace
David Roach
May 10, 2007
Sam,
I promise to make sure everyone I meet will know about the MC5.
Chatman
May 10, 2007
Our Family would like to extend our love and warmth to the Moss, May,Foster and to KD during this time. Please remember when the visits from friends dwindle away that the Chatmans are only a phone call away. I do believe that we will always have Sam around as long as we have GOOD live music to listen to and warm evenings. He left many inspired musicians behind lets hope we can get some good TONE from them. As I heard SAM say play that guitar like you stole it. WOOO HU
kirk vernon
May 10, 2007
only now do I realize how important it was to play with The Rythem method. I didn't think anyone even remembered the band. I'm so proud of Sam...The memorial service was beyond cool..."hey sammy, I finally got the horn part down on Killing Floor".
STEVE WOOTEN
May 10, 2007
SAM..YOU WILL BE MISSED BY EVERYONE. YOUR KINDNESS WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED ALSO. TAKE CARE MY FRIEND, BECAUSE NOW THE PAIN IS GONE, AND YOU WILL HAVE A NEW HEART.
GOD BLESS YOU
STEVE WOOTEN
Chris Grant
May 10, 2007
I regret that I never looked you in the eye and told you what a profound and positive influence you’ve had on my life. As a teenager I looked up to you and admired you as I would an older brother at a time in my life—just a few years after my father’s death—when I had very little guidance and could have easily been influenced to follow a destructive path. Your consummate musicianship and professionalism allowed me to see first hand what it took to be a working musician, and your mentoring and encouragement gave me the hope that my own musical dreams might someday be achievable. When you moved away from my town you would call or drop me a note from time to time, and through the years we’d get together at concerts, I’d stop by your store on my way through Winston-Salem, or you’d come out from time to time when one of my bands was playing nearby. Though the teacher’s presence in the audience always left this former student a little nervous, I was extremely proud that you cared enough to be there, and throughout the 35 years since we first met, I was even more proud to call you my friend. You were one of a kind, Sam, and you made my world a better place. The many, many people who love you will miss you terribly. Till we meet again,
Charity Tuttle
May 10, 2007
Sam...We all will miss your big hair and BIG smile!
love.
Fred Phillips
May 10, 2007
Your friendship, talent & general outlook on life will be missed.
Play on brother!
Fred & Lori Phillips
Deborah Alexander-Gioello
May 10, 2007
Ruth, I am very sorry about Sam. I hope that knowing how much he was loved by so many will bring you some comfort and peace.
Maggie
May 10, 2007
Sam,
I never learned to properly play any of the instruments I bought from you, but I just want to say thanks for your patience with a "wanna be" like me. I still had a lot of fun and well, for some of us at least maybe that's what it's all about after all. Safe journey.
Mike Grohs
May 9, 2007
I can speak for John Hayes, Mother's Finest and myself...Sam you'll be Greatly Missed by us all. It was a blast visiting w you after the MF show at Ziggy's in April & just hate that we'll never get that chance to get better acquainted as we had promised. The photos taken w You, John and a few of the members of Mother's Finest will be cherished by all...Rest in Peace my friend.
Ronnie Westmoreland
May 9, 2007
Gonna miss you, Sam.
Gary Meredith
May 9, 2007
It has been 37 years since Sam and I played together in a band, but it seems like only yesterday. I guess Sam is still looking for "the note". Such a natural musician... the world is much poorer now for his passing... I know how much I will miss him.
dale cole
May 9, 2007
Goodbye old friend you are gone but not forgotten. Dale Cole
David Teague
May 9, 2007
I had the pleasure of playing in the "Rhthym Method" with Sam during the 1968-70 horn band craze. The first time I heard Sam play I was stunned. His guitar chops was formitable and ears that were dead on when learning new tunes. I would notate the horn charts and would sometimes have to ask Sam a particular chord or voicing - he might not have known the legit name but instictively knew how it was played on the recording.I was blessed having played trumpet with Charles Green (another fabulous guitar talent) in The Versatiles and Sam with Rhythm Method. They may have left the building but have left a rich musical legacy in the area that will be mined for years to come.
Donna Garcia
May 9, 2007
Your death leaves a big hole in the world, Sam. I wanted to listen to you play forever. But even more than your music, Sam, I will miss your laugh and your heart. "WOW!"
Scott MacKenzie
May 9, 2007
Deepest Sympathy and Deepest Thanks.
Give Jimmy Hall our Best.
Robert Collins
May 9, 2007
Bye Sam...I hardly knew you...
happy trails..
Bob Collins
Frank Aldridge
May 9, 2007
Sam is such a dear friend and I will truly miss him. I will never forget the many years of our friendship when we spent much time together. In recent years, that was not the case. I saw him only infrequently. Every note I play on the guitar has something of Sam in it. He was my mentor. He was also good friends with my elderly parents and never failed to visit them and spend time with them while they were alive. They loved him. Family and friends of Sam Moss - you are in my prayers. May God Bless you.
Debi (Williams) Linzey
May 9, 2007
Ruth, I am so sorry to hear about Sam. I remember listening to his band when we were teenagers. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Yamaha Martin
May 9, 2007
Sam will be missed.
He always had a story to tell about something in the Music World.
Yurr!
Richard Huff
May 9, 2007
Sam, I could not believe it when I read the obits this morning. You will surely be missed. I'll never forget when you found that John Lennon guitar for me. I still have it and always will. You are at peace now and one day we'll all have that big jam when we get there. Rest , my friend.
Lee Terry
May 9, 2007
Sam,
There's no way to express how many lives you touched. for me, you showed that a guitar was more than just an instrument, that it could be a way of life..a spiritual connection to your own soul. I learned so much from you, and found so much inspiration from your fiery spirit. No one was ever more dedicated to their instrument, and their craft...and instilled that love in the rest of us that were lucky enough to know you.
There'll never be another like you, Sam. You were my brother, and I'll always miss you...and to those closest to you, all my deepest sympathy and love.
Bobby Kelly
May 9, 2007
When I see you in the other room, gimme an "E".
Doug Williams
May 9, 2007
Sam, I can't begin to express my love for you. I don't yet know how we will all go on without you. You will always be missed. I hope we meet on the other side. Condolences to all; Ruth Ann, the Foster and May families, and everyone else touched by this great human being. He hit the note.
Showing 1 - 48 of 48 results
Make a Donation
in Walter Moss's name
People and places connected with Walter
How to support Walter's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Walter Moss's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
Sponsored