Rev. William Frank Mooring, age 85, of Buckhannon, WV, died Thursday, April 23, 2026, at WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon. He was born September 30, 1940, in Lavalette, WV, a son of the late Frank D. and Mildred Louise Booten Mooring.
On June 15, 1963, he married the love of his life, Verlie Vertis Moore, who preceded him in death on April 6, 2008. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one son, William Frank Mooring II; one grandson, Jeffrey Cochran II; and one sister, Jane Wright.
Surviving are two daughters, Ann Tenney and Karen Cochran and husband Jeff, both of Buckhannon; an adopted daughter, Wendy Woofter and husband Dave of Buckhannon; son-in-law, Randall Tenney of Buckhannon; three grandsons, Scott Cochran and wife Aundrea of Clarksburg, WV, Jonathan Cochran of Abingdon, VA, and Howard Dean and wife MaRanda of Minerva, OH; seven granddaughters, Bethaney Oldani and husband Joseph of Culloden, WV, Brittany Chewning and husband Bailey, Kaitlyn and Larissa Tenney, all of Buckhannon, Brianna Woofter of Morgantown, WV, and Stephanie and Andrea Woofter, both of Fairmont, WV; seven great-grandsons, Eli and Emmett Cochran and Kaden Chewning, all of Buckhannon, Elijah and Isaiah Dean, both of Minerva, and Oliver and Owen Oldani, both of Culloden; five great-granddaughters, Briella McKisic and Kathryn Oldani, both of Culloden, Archer Cochran of Clarksburg, Amelia Cochran of Mill Creek, WV, and MaRissa Dean of Minerva; two sisters, Lou Snyder and husband Jerry and Jo Heck and husband Eddie, both of Huntington, WV; and several nieces and nephews.
Rev. Mooring served in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1962. He founded the New Life Tabernacle in Buckhannon in November 1978. During his lifetime, Rev. Mooring held many positions in the UPCI, such as: Foreign Missions Director, Sunday School Director, Secretary/Treasurer, Sectional Presbyter, and Minister of Comfort. While serving as Foreign Missions Director, he was able to travel and minister in several foreign countries including Israel and Scotland, and several countries on the continents of Africa and South America.
Above all else, family and ministry were the most important things in his life. Rev. Mooring was well known as a loving father, grandfather, “PawPaw,” pastor, and prankster. Later in his life, he loved making his famous Butter Pecan Cake and taking long walks to aid in his longevity.
Friends will be received Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the New Life Tabernacle in Buckhannon. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the church with Pastor Jeff Cochran, Randall Tenney, and Paul Rounds officiating. Burial will follow in the Heavner Cemetery in Buckhannon. The Upshur County Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the graveside.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
