ALEXANDRIA, Va. (BRAIN) — Master bike wheel builder Bill Mould died Nov. 12 at his home at age 82. Mould worked with several retailers and manufacturers throughout his career, and ran his own wheelbuilding, engineering and technical education business, Bill Mould Wheels.
Besides his bicycle industry activities, Mould, earned a master's degree in organic chemistry from Yale University, taught organic chemistry at a local college.
Mould was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Garden City, N.Y. After earning an undergraduate degree in Economics at Penn State University and his Yale degree, he entered the Air Force during the Vietnam War, retiring as a Colonel after 36 years of service from his final post at the Pentagon. He launched his wheelbuilding career after retiring from the military.
He is survived by his three daughters, Catherine Dillingham, Helen Jenkins , and Mary Larkin; his sister, Nancy Hager; nine grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Joan Mould; his father, Ward Mould; and his mother, Dorothy Mould.
"Bill's life was defined by purpose, honesty, unwavering integrity, a never-ending quest for knowledge, and responsibility to others," the family wrote in an obituary published on JeffersonFuneralHome.com.
"He cared little for pretense and was wholly disinterested in the intrinsic value of material things, an outlook sometimes protested as keepsakes were rescued from the garbage. He took fashion advice from no one and insisted upon his familiar uniform of black jeans and bike wheel t-shirts until his final moments. The sole prerequisite to his friendship and respect was human goodness. He had little patience for those who would attempt to impose any other standard. These views are held in high esteem by his grandchildren, who will ensure that his legacy of goodness is carried forward."
A graveside service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, at a date and time to be determined. Memorial contributions can be made in his name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
