Shockey Roots

William Joseph Moore (Bill), 93, of Indianapolis passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 29, 2024, after several months of declining health. Bill was born in Philadelphia on October 17, 1931, amid the Depression, to the late Robert Boyd and Margaret Kershaw Moore. He grew up in the Philadelphia suburb of Bala Cynwyd, spending summers at Ranger Lodge in Casco, Maine, or sometimes at the Jersey shore. He never forgot his Philadelphia roots, often teasing us with his Philly pronunciations and his devotion to Phillies baseball.

Bill finished high school in Indianapolis at Shortridge, class of 1950, and in1955 he graduated from Butler University with a Bachelor’s Degree in marketing and finance. After college, Bill served in the Air Force, specializing in bombardment and reconnaissance and eventually spending 3 years at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas, teaching atomic weaponry technology and delivery techniques to SAC Air Force crew officers, a job which required high-level security clearance and which prevented him from leaving the country for 5 years afterward. While in the military, Bill also served as a JAG officer defending enlisted men who wandered into trouble off base. He was always proud that he never lost a JAG case. Though the Air Force tried to entice Bill to stay in the Service, he left active duty in 1960 with the rank of Captain.

Returning to Indianapolis, Bill began a career in real estate development and brokerage, first with Leo Lippmann & Associates, where he learned the development, design, marketing, and management of office buildings, apartments, and shopping centers, and later with the FC Tucker Realty Company (now Cushman & Wakefield), specializing in Office Leasing and Development. He handled some of the earliest large building projects in downtown Indianapolis, including the Indiana National Bank Tower, the Market Square Center, Merchants Plaza, and numerous others. Bill was the first Indianapolis leasing agent to list over a million square feet of office space, holding at least one listing (the Gold Building) for an amazing 32 years! In the mid 70’s Bill was part of a joint venture that was to develop Merchants Plaza (now PNC Center). As a principal and managing partner of that project, he oversaw the development of the project and brought in Hyatt (Hyatt Regency) for a mixed-use concept, creating the largest downtown project up to that time in Indianapolis…a million square feet, in itself. His ownership interests expanded in the 1980s to include shopping centers in Indianapolis and condos in Naples, Florida. He continued to lease and promote downtown real estate until his retirement at age 84.

Bill was introduced to real estate in his late teens, doing GI Bill appraisals for his father, and he was a fixture on the commercial real estate scene in Indianapolis for nearly 60 years. He was known to many as the Godfather of Downtown Leasing. Before he retired, he was told that he had leased more office space than anyone, ever, in Indianapolis. That record has most likely fallen, but Bill did it the old way…without computers. Many a deal was made on a napkin and sealed with a smile and a handshake.

Throughout his career, Bill was a strong supporter of downtown commercial real estate associations and activities. Always positive and encouraging, he was a true people person and genuinely cared about helping other professionals in the field. He was a tireless and generous mentor to young brokers, many of whom credit Bill for their current success.

Bill had a way with people. He could make people feel comfortable. He was at home talking with the highest person in the room and the lowest. He moved between people and ranks seamlessly. It was a talent. He always said what he thought, but he said it with humor. Everyone loved to be with Bill. He had an enormous number of business friends and acquaintances.

Over time, Bill received countless plaques, awards, and certificates of appreciation for his professionalism and achievements within his company and within the Indianapolis community at large. He was involved in numerous civic groups and activities. He was a founding member and served on the initial Board of Directors of the Indiana Sports Corp; was a founding member and on the initial Board of Directors of the Indiana Convention and Visitors Association, where he chaired several committees; was on the initial Board of Directors of the Commission for Downtown; was a member of the forward-looking City Committee; was Chairman of the second citywide CircleFest, 1982; was Publicity Chairman for the National Sports Festival,1982. These public/private committees were instrumental in forging a national identity for Indianapolis as an Amateur Sports Capital and as the professional sports town it is today. Bill’s unwavering devotion to Indianapolis’ downtown development saw him recognized as an important catalyst to the initial resurgence of downtown. On his retirement, he was heralded by his colleagues as an Icon of Indianapolis.

Family members have commented about Bill, saying that “there was a lot of kid in him.” He never lost his youthful enthusiasm for life and adventure. If someone had a kooky plan or a crazy scheme, Bill was the first one on board. He loved teasing and being teased. He could focus his intense blue eyes on you like a laser or set them a-twinkle with mischief and anticipation. People gravitated toward Bill. He was a charmer.

He loved to sail and body surf at the beach, but also loved to travel to exotic places. He loved dogs and birds and pea soup and steak & kidney pie. He loved lilacs and baseball and Waterford and chocolate ice cream. He loved to joke. He loved being Irish. He loved being Bill.

We will miss you, Bill. Life won’t seem quite as much fun without you. Goodbye.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Carolyn (Shockey) Molenda Moore; his loving daughters, Peggy (Michael) Lynch, Kathy (John) Davidson, and Angie Moore; his step-sons, James, and Mark Molenda; his grandchildren Lily and Lucas Davidson, Ryan and Abbie Moore and Andrea Weidner, and two great-grandchildren.

A short Memorial Service will be held at Meridian Street United Methodist Church Chapel 5500 N. Meridian St, Indianapolis on Thursday, November 14, at 4:30, followed by an hors d’oeuvres reception in the adjoining parlor to remember and celebrate Bill’s life and humor. (5-7:00)

Online condolences and stories about Bill that you want to share can be offered at www.flannerbuchanan.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Flanner Buchanan-Broad Ripple.