William (Bill) Moyer, a resident for 15 years of Newbury Court, died peacefully on December 18, 2024.
He joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1952, first as second trombonist and later as the orchestra’s Personnel Manager, a position he held until his retirement in 1987. Contributions in his memory may be sent to Project STEP, c/o BSO 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.
William C. Moyer (“Bill”) was born on September 16, 1929, in Oberlin, Ohio, to David Moyer, professor of piano at Oberlin Conservatory, and his wife, Jessie, a fine singer. He began his study of the trombone in fourth grade “as soon as my right arm was long enough to reach 7th position!”
In 1952, shortly after his marriage to fellow conservatory student Betsy Green of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and before his graduation, he auditioned for and won the position of second trombonist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He became the Orchestra’s personnel manager in 1966 and remained in this position until his retirement in 1987.
During his tenure with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, he initiated and participated in a number of innovative programs, including the founding of Project Step (String Training and Education Program for students of color); a rotation system within the string section of the BSO, a system which has been replicated in most symphony orchestras; an exchange program between the BSO and the Japan Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra; and he became involved with the Holy Trinity Orchestra of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He and his wife lived at the Newbury Court retirement community for the last 15 years of his life.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betsy, of Concord; daughter Ellen E. Moyer of Montgomery; his son Paul David Moyer of Plymouth and his wife Daire; his son William Frederick Moyer and his wife April of Dover, New Hampshire; and his daughter Anne McCracken, of Attleboro; grandson Daniel Paul McCracken of Providence, Rhode Island; granddaughter Briana McCracken and grandson Nicholas Bourdeau, both of Attleboro; and great-granddaughter Allie Jean Moyer of Somerset.
Memorial services are in the planning stage and will be announced at a later time.
Contributions in his memory may be sent to Project STEP, c/o BSO, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA 02115 or bso.org.
Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, concordfuneral.com.
