Moran, William F., 1925-

William Francis Moran Jr. (May 1, 1925 – February 12, 2006), also known as Bill Moran, was a pioneering American knifemaker who founded the American Bladesmith Society and reintroduced the process of making pattern welded steel (often called "Damascus") to modern knife making. Moran's knives were sought after by celebrities and heads-of-state. In addition to founding the ABS, he was a Blade Magazine Hall of Fame Member and a President of the Knifemakers' Guild. The school he established at Texarkana College, through partnership with the American Bladesmith Society, was renamed to the "Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing" in his honor. Moran's original shop in Middletown, Maryland, has been preserved as a working bladesmith shop and museum by the William F. Moran, Jr. Museum & Foundation. The foundation also continues his legacy through classes in bladesmithing, metalworking, and other artisan crafts at the W.F. Moran Bladesmith & Artisan Academy.