William Frank Mosier

In Memoriam

November 25, 2020

Obituary & Life History

The Rev. Deacon William Frank Mosier died peacefully at home in Newark, California on Nov. 25, 2020. Son of Ernest and Virginia (Moore) Mosier, Bill, his twin brother, the Rev. James David Mosier, and their older sister, the Rev. Deacon Linda Hale grew up on a cherry farm in The Dalles, Oregon, where they attended St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. After high school graduation in 1964, Bill and Jim entered the University of Portland together.

During Bill’s freshman year, however, he became ill with a virus that left him profoundly deaf and changed the course of his life. The following year he transferred to a college exclusively for Deaf students -- Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. There he began learning sign language, which led to his life’s work with Deaf people. Unfortunately, he once again became gravely ill and had to withdraw from Gallaudet, too. Bill finished college 15 years later at Western Oregon University with a BA in Art Education and an MA in Deaf Education. He also became an ordained Episcopal deacon.
Bill’s careers included graphic design for the school district in The Dalles; teaching art and special education at Oregon School for the Deaf; establishing and working as a job coach in a transition program for Deaf adults with cognitive and emotional disabilities in Salem, OR; working as a mental health case worker for Polk County; and serving as a deacon at St. Hilda’s Episcopal Church in Monmouth, OR, where he developed an extensive ministry for Deaf adults from the surrounding areas. He was actively involved nationally in the Episcopal Conference of the Deaf for many years, as well, including a term as president of ECD (2005-2006).

Bill was predeceased by his parents and by his first wife, the Rev. Noel Knelange (1943–2006) who was St. Hilda’s priest for many years. In 2011, Bill retired, married again, and moved to California with his second wife, Beverly Cannon Mosier. That fall, Bill became a deacon at St. James Episcopal Church in Fremont, CA for one year. Eventually, he and Bev grew another Deaf ministry at St. James
Bill is survived by his wife, Bev and daughter, Jackie of Newark, CA; as well as his siblings, Linda of Tucson, AZ and Jim, (Vicki) of Ontario, OR. He also had two nieces, Christine (Ken, Evangeline, KJ) of Ontario, OR and Kim (Charley, Luke, Grace) of Baker, OR and a nephew, Patrick (Maaike) of La Grande, OR.

There will be a delayed memorial service, after a COVID-19 vaccine has made it safe to gather. Meanwhile, donations “in memory of Bill Mosier” would be welcomed by Friends of Oregon School for the Deaf. FOSD was important to Bill as a former board member, and its mission remained in his heart until the end. Donations can be made either online at friendsofOSD.org or by mail: Friends of OSD PO Box 15053 Salem OR 97309

Click "Return back to Memorials webpage"