William Eugene Moen

William Eugene Moen
September 21, 1950 – November 22, 2025
Bill Moen passed away, as he requested, in his home with his family close. Bill was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Arnold and Helen Moen. He had three sisters, Mary White (Gabby), now deceased, Shirley Wayne (Howard) of Colorado and Patricia Jean Nigbur (Wallace) of Minnesota. As a Midwest rural family, they embraced the rich culture of farm land, hard work, and reliance on self, balanced with loving obligation for community and always, family.
When Bill left the farm in 1968 at 18 years of age, for Iowa State University, he was the first of his family to attend college. Intending to study engineering, he encountered a larger world of ideas, and moved on to the University of Minnesota and began his philosophy studies. Bill was a thinker. He pondered. He analyzed his thoughts. Bill completed that academic philosophy degree in 1987 from University of Montana, Missoula.
During those early adult years, Bill took on hiking and camping, and exploring the natural world of fly fishing and mountain trails. He would immigrate to Canada and work in a lumber mill. He moved to Vancouver to work in Duffy's Bookstore. Again, he continued formal education at the University of British Columbia.
Returning to the US, Bill drove one of those 18 wheelers, hauling goods from the heartland to the coast. Bill loved to travel and drive. He soaked up the sights and vibes of cities and towns along the highways. He pondered it all. Writing in his journals, he considered the everyday lives of people, and the influences from which we all develop our perceptions.
Experiencing Butte, Montana, Bill's spirit and psyche found a home. Bill and his many life-long friends set down roots in each other's hearts, and awe of the many mountain ranges. Bill and an associate opened a bookstore, Butte Booksellers and Black Orchid Gallery. His school bus driver job was for income. While the bookstore never made money, it did become a hub for community building, gathering friends, and celebrating art.
Bill didn't intend to leave Butte, Montana but rather simply to go away for awhile to earn a Master's degree in Library Science from LSU, Baton Rouge. However, his spirit and psyche found a new home in the heart of his relationship with Monica Smith who happily entwined her life journey with his. Married in Lafayette, Louisiana in the summer of 1988, Bill and Monica journeyed together to Washington, DC where Bill's next adventure began in the Library of Congress. He encountered new ideas and such a plethora of information. He delved into new ways to categorize ideas and information. He was interested in how best to access ideas and information, who owns those ideas and that information, and what are the priorities of the user. Bill's work in the international protocol of "Z39.50" allowed him to travel throughout Europe. A path to a PhD in Information Studies naturally appeared. Bill and Monica together began the next leg of his academic journey.
In Syracuse, New York, not only did Bill become Dr. Moen, here he also became father to Julia Clare Moen, and he cherished this role above all others. Owning his own house for the first time, Bill reached back to his roots and grew gardens of produce and flowers. Bill and Monica loved entertaining their friends, gathering them together for feasting and conversation.
Having garnered so much knowledge, resources, and research tools, Bill, with a family now, transitioned to educator at the University of North Texas. Bill was valued for his ability to write policy, win grants, set rigorous guidelines, while serving as Director of Research and Associate Dean for Research. Bill was developer and leader of the Center for Digital Knowledge, Intern in the Provost Office, and Director of the McNair Scholars Program. To conclude his career in academia, Bill returned to the position of Associate Professor and assisted with the merging of academic departments to grow the University of North Texas, College of Information.
Bill did not intend to stay in Denton, Texas. However, home now included welcoming his son, Adam Louis Moen into the family, and deepening Bill's love for parenting. He treasured the summers he spent with his children, taking them to the mountains and home to the farmland. Caring for the residence, always gardening, supporting Denton ISD, and encouraging extracurricular activities rounded out Bill's vision of the good life.
Retirement for Bill opened up time to pursue his passion for gardening full-time. Becoming a Master Gardener with Denton County Master Gardener Association became one more avenue for Bill to serve his community, to practice his research, and to develop his skills for composting, for raised beds, and for the perfect blueberry and tomato.
Full of ideas and plans of more to do, Bill did not intend to leave us all so soon. Pancreatic cancer, and the harsh demands of treatment, turned his body frail and unwilling to obey his thoughts and desires.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved aunts and uncles, his sister Mary, his nephews Jeff and Eric, his niece, Lisa. Remaining to honor Bill's life are his immediate family: Monica and Adam, Julia and Malia with Eleanor Yasuko and Simon Hideo. Remembering Bill, are his sisters, Shirley and Jean, his cherished nieces and nephews, and those grand, and now great-grand family members.
The family will host a private Celebration of Life on Monday, December 8, 2025.
Please consider memorials be made to the Monsignor King Outreach Center/ourdailybread.org, KERA.org, UTSouthwestern Pancreatic Prevention Center or a charity close to your heart.