OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 166, 29 May 1940, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR W. F. MOODY The death occurred on Saturday of one of the oldest identities of Whakatane, Mr William Fyffs Moody, at the age of eighty. Born in Opotiki Mr Moody transferred his interests to Whakatane in 1880, when the name was applied only to a scattered district. At that time he was a carpenter but it was not long before he commenced business on his own account as a builder, and though young, made a great success of his business. Among the buildings erected by him were the first Union Bank and the Anglican Church. He travelled some distance at times and experienced many difficulties in transport in the early days, when, roads and bridges did not exist. When the first Borough Council was formed in 1917, Mr Moody was one of the councillors elected and he served the term 1917-19 andi again for a short period 1919-20., fie was a Justice of the Peafce for many years, being one of the first appointed in this district and in this connection he was respected by all. Mr Moody was associated with horse racing when meetings were held at Kopeopao, acting as judge and being rewarded with Life Membership of the Racing Club. He J was not prominent in sport, although he was one of the foundation members of the Whakatane Boiwling Club. Of his family of six, five survive: Mesdames E. Young and A. Young, of Opotiki; Mrs J. Addison, of Waimana; Mrs W. Do!an, of Auckland and Mr Patrick Moody, the staff of the Union Bank of Australia, Hastings. Another son, Mr William Moody, was killed on Gallipoli. A brother, Mr G. S. Moody, is the present Mayor of Opotiki, and another, Mr J. Moody, is secretary of the Opouriao Dairy Company. • A third, Mr J. Moody, farms at Waiotahi. The deepest sympathy is extended to Mrs Moody and family in their bereavement.