Francis "Bill" Moran Sr.

Heathsville, VA – Francis "Bill" Moran, Sr., 89, died on December 13, 2025 after a long fight with cancer.

Bill was born in Washington, D.C., grew up in Seat Pleasant, Maryland and attended Suitland High School. He resided in suburban Maryland until retiring to Heathsville, Virginia, his home for the past 27 years.

Before going into the work world, Bill proudly served in the U.S. Army. After his honorable discharge from service, Bill spent his career in the printing industry working as a pressman for several print shops in the DC area before serving as Vice President of Operations at Hundley Lithograph for 25 years.

After retiring and moving to Heathsville, VA, his work ethic wouldn't allow him to be too leisurely. He took a job at the Heathsville Food Lion and stayed for more than 25 years where he became a fixture of the local community. He loved his coworkers and interacting with customers. He worked there until the time of his death.

One of Bill's hobbies was flying. He earned his private pilot certificate and loved taking to the skies in his beloved Piper Archer, N3791Q. He also served as a pilot in Civil Air Patrol for 15 years giving orientation rides to cadets and flying search and rescue missions.

He had various interests throughout his life. He enjoyed woodworking and building furniture and a grandfather clock. Bill was fascinated by trains and all things related. He enjoyed model railroading and would take his son to the railyard on New York Ave or the old rail station in Hyattsville, to watch trains for hours. He loved any rail excursion but enjoyed steam engines the most and often took weekend trips to see the steam engines in the area and visit rail museums.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Clarice George; his parents, Francis Joseph and Dorothy Ridgely (Moran); and three sisters. Loving family left to cherish Bill's memory include a son, Francis "Bill" Moran, Jr. (Nadine); a daughter, Geraldine Yackel (Karl); two grandchildren, Linda (Ian) and Aaron (Paige); two great-grandchildren, Maverick and Autumn; brothers, Michel Ridgley (Susan) and Jimmy Moran (Brenda); and long-time companion Darlene Schultz.

Memorial donations can be made to:

Augusta University - Georgia Cancer Center https://www.augusta.edu/cancer/

C&O Railway Heritage Center https://cohs.org/

A Celebration of Life will be held for his Northern Neck family and friends at a later date.

Posey Funeral Directors of North Augusta, SC are handling arrangements (803) 278-1181.