Best Of New Orleans Blog » Blog Archive » William Moss, better known as musician Billy Ding, dies in 9th Ward car accident

May

William Moss, better known as musician Billy Ding, dies in 9th Ward car accident

Posted by: Alison Fensterstock in In Memoriam, Music & Nightlife

William Moss, the pianist better known as Billy Ding, died last Sunday evening. Moss was walking between Vaughan’s Lounge and BJ’s Lounge, two downtown taverns where he often played music and visited with neighbors, when a truck turning onto Lesseps Street bizarrely sped up and drove onto the sidewalk, striking Moss and a friend. Moss died from internal injuries at the scene; his companion was hospitalized.

Moss, 42, was the longtime proprietor of French Quarter Bicycles on Dumaine Street (now closed), and a talented boogie-woogie pianist with a dedicated local following of friends and neighbors. He gigged frequently with his band the Hot Wings on Frenchmen Street and in the Bywater.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 12 at St. Louis Cathedral, followed by a second line through the French Quarter and refreshments at BJ’s Lounge on the corner of Lesseps and Burgundy Streets.

Comments:

Ethan Clark on May 6th, 2008 at 5:48 pm #

I worked for Billy for a while at French Quarter Bikes. Several of his old employees are trying to come in from out of town for the memorial service and there’s even talk of getting matching FQB tattoos despite the fact that he fired almost all of us! We miss him.

MS Pearl on May 7th, 2008 at 8:50 pm #

I have beautiful pictures of Billy ay vies funeral second line
If anyone wants them please let me know these pictures are really special
Ms Pearl
504 948 0166
orleansbywater@aol.com

brian on May 7th, 2008 at 10:08 pm #

I am a friend of Bill’s from high school. We were very tight back in those days. I live in Memphis now, and cannot make the services in his honor. Does anyone know where the family has requested donations to go?

mott.brian@gmail.com

Julia Stonestreet Smith on May 8th, 2008 at 12:23 pm #

I love you Bill!

You were good to me!

I’m so sorry I won’t be seeing you in your fabulous form again this lifetime.

Rest in peace…

Sarah McDermtot on May 8th, 2008 at 2:35 pm #

Billy was a fine man, a lovely gentleman and great musician. He was loved by all who knew him and his caring for others knew no bounds. He is survived by his wonderul parents, Mary Bet and Joe, who are probably the kindest people on God’s earth. He is also survived by two equally wonderful and devoted sisters, Madeline and Mary Monica, and numerous relatives and friends.

May God bring comfort to all who knew and loved him during this difficult time of transition and acceptance.

Catherine and Sarah McDermott

Madeleine Moss on May 8th, 2008 at 2:58 pm #

Hi, this is Bill’s sister. Our family is soooo grateful for everyone’s condolences. We love Bill very much and cannot believe what has happened.

I am posting some clarifying information about the funeral services as there seems to be some conflicting information on various websites/blogs. On Monday, 11-1 is the wake. The official sit down church ceremony starts at 1. They are both at St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. Once the ceremony is complete - 2:30 or 3(?), that is when the parade will start, which ends up at BJ’s for food/drinks/etc.

Mitchell Powers on June 13th, 2008 at 10:36 pm #

I’ve put up photos from the funeral at my local newspaper’s website.

http://spotted.savannahnow.com/galleries/index.php?id=338163

Still missing Bill.

Steve Swygert on July 23rd, 2009 at 6:26 pm #

WOW…I was just trying to locate Bill and found this tragic news…I am in tears…I was with him in washington D.C. working at a shop together before he went to N.O. to set up shop there…I drove down with him when he first set the shop up in N.O….I was hoping to say hello if I could find his #…now I am saying goodbye!…life is something…I am sure where he is he is happy, singing and entertaining like only Bill can !…miss you old bud. : )

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