William “Billy” Moon II, 47 was a friend and mentor to everyone. A lifelong dreamer who aspired to be in the FDNY, and did not stop until he did. Known for his big personality, huge smile, and passion for the job, Billy was also a devoted husband and father of two.

After suffering a fatal fall on December 12, 2022, Billy answered his last alarm on December 20, 2022 with the final gift of donating his organs. He left behind his wife Kristina and their two young children, Brianne (10) and Colin (9). He is also survived by his parents, William and Patricia, his sister Christina VanSteen, and brother Robert.

Raised in Islip, New York, Billy was a 21-year member of the FDNY, in addition to a 28-year volunteer in the Islip Fire Department who served as Chief of Department from 2016-2018. He began his career in L133 in South Jamaica Queens where he spent almost 20 years before transferring to Rescue 2 in Brooklyn. Rescue 2 was a big milestone in his career as he knew the significance and was proud of the accomplishment he spent years working for.

Prior to his passing, Billy and Kristina had what she likes to refer to as “hard conversations,” because nobody wants to talk about what happens when they die. Embedded in these conversations were Billy’s wishes to be an organ donor. Upon his death, Billy saved the lives of five others, donating his liver, heart, lungs and both kidneys. Two of his recipients were even retired members of the FDNY.

In the spirit of Billy’s life choices to be both a selfless first responder and organ donor, the Billy Moon Foundation was created to honor his memory. In honoring his memory, we hope to continue building advocacy and awareness around organ donation, supporting those in the process and paying it forward to others in the first responder community. 

As the recipient of a life saving heart from the name sake of this foundation, I am truly blessed and so thankful with my continued life. This could only happen when fellow selfless humans, while alive, leave a directive to donate their life saving organs.

The Billy Moon Foundation is a wonderful and proactive effort to help spread the benefits of organ donation. This Foundation is the extension of Billy’s selfless act and will hopefully encourage all to elect to become an organ donor…allowing others to continue their lives. 

As a recipient of an organ transplant, the overwhelming emotion I have is being forever humbled by the selflessness of the donor and their family. While their lives have been upended by an unexpected tragedy, the recipient’s life is returned to them with an organ transplant. Not a minute of any day will go by without being returned to the day of the “phone call” indicating an organ is available. Each subsequent day is a cherished gift.

The circumstances of receiving an organ donation from a fellow FDNY firefighter were extraordinary. Billy Moon had made a decision to be an organ donor and his family had the strength and fortitude to see this through under the most trying of times. Myself and my family are continually in awe of this family. 

A foundation supporting organ recipients and donors, is vitally important. Not everyone in this precarious situation has the resources and support necessary to successfully travel this difficult path. Many of us may take this for granted because our situation is not reflected in the hardships of those without support and the limited financial means they may be experiencing. 

 A first step is ensuring that each of us are listed as organ donors.