Rio, WI – William “Bill” Moriarity III, age 76, passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, in Rio, WI.

Born on October 3, 1949, in Madison WI, the son of Delores “Jeanne” Moriarity (nee Scoville) and William J Moriarity.

My dad was many things to many people. He was a son, a brother, a husband, father, co-worker, uncle, friend, neighbor, and so much more.   Whatever title, whatever role, he put his heart and soul into it. He didn’t know how to do anything half way. He was so darn stubborn. Yet incredibly loyal and dependable. If anybody needed anything, he was there.

Dad raised me to be strong, honest, hard working, to love family, protect the ones I love. He also raised me to love Fourth of July, love music, skiing, golfing, scuba diving, bowling, camping and softball. He tried to teach me about cars, but that never stuck. (Sorry, Dad). He was there for me when I needed him. He came to my 4th grade play when I was the astronaut that had to visit all 9 planets (yes, Pluto was a planet, and always will be in my mind). He came to every one of my middle school viola concerts, and all my high school basketball games.   He taught me how to drive on a stick shift so I’d never be stranded. He was my solid foundation.

Dad loved many things. He has loved cars since his youth. His motto was “Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet”. He even had a 1955 Chevrolet race car when I was young. He was an auto technician for the majority of his life and could fix anything with a motor. He loved traveling and scuba diving. He loved getting out and seeing the world as much as he loved sitting at home watching a titillating golf tournament on the tv. He loved golf, and refused to give it up. Bowling and softball were constants for me growing up. He was a slow pitch pitcher. So when I joined a co-ed team, of course I had to pitch just like my dad. He taught me how to bowl “shake hands with the head pin” and we won trophies as a parent / child duo. Dad loved going to car shows – I could never figure that out, but he loved it. Camping was my favorite – almost every weekend growing up. Eagle Flats and Apple River, he and Uncle Mike saved a woman from drowning that first year. His latest obsession was the 1956 Chevrolet he has been rebuilding from the ground up. His dream was to get it drive-able and take it cross country on Route 66.

Dad was extremely strong and determined, and yes, stubborn. He fought through an addiction to alcohol and won. He fought through an addiction to nicotine and won. Even nearing the end of his struggle with cancer, he would often express “Don’t underestimate me” when presented with concerns.   He fought off three bouts of cancer and won. This fourth bout was just too much.

My dad was many things to many people. Now, my dad is an angel. Looking over everyone, guiding, protecting, encouraging us to fight with everything we have for what we want. Don’t do it half way, time is short.

Survivors include Bill’s; wife Darlene, step-son Corey and granddaughter Ivy Marie, his former wife Kathy, daughter Nikki, son-in-law Charles, grandsons Robert (Lucia) and Jalani (Natashia) and great-granddaughter Violet Nicole; his sisters Anita (Wayne), Jeanne (Dennis) and Colleen (Brian), many many much-loved nieces and nephews; and countless friends (old and new). There are so many people that have meant something special to dad over the last 76 years I cannot list them all. He holds you all in his heart. Thank you for the role you played in his life.

Preceded in death by his parents and his loving sister Shawn.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Eagles Club, 2109 Bartillon Drive, Madison WI 53704, on Friday 10/24/2025 at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to St Jude, www.stjude.org. Thank you

To view his obituary and leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Ryan Funeral Home & cremation Services
2418 N. Sherman Avenue
608-249-8257

William Moriarity

October 03, 1949 - October 14, 2025

Share photos of William