?Dr. Lindsay Hathcock gestures to tree dedicated to the memory of City Judge Bill Moss at the Bradley County Courthouse.
A new tree has been planted on the Bradley County Courthouse Plaza in memory of Cleveland Municipal Judge Bill Moss.
Family, friends, Bradley County and Cleveland city government leaders and members of the Cleveland Tree Board gathered around the Japanese Zelkova sapling Wednesday to dedicate the tree in memory of the beloved judge.
Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland apologized in a short written statement for being in Nashville on the day of the tree dedication.
“I am sorry to be out of town today and unable to share in this occasion to honor my friend Judge Bill Moss,” Mayor Rowland stated. “This tree will stand as a reminder of Bill's life and that he is always present with us.”
A plaque will be placed near the tree to read "In memory of the Honorable Bill B. Moss City Court Judge from May12, 1972 to July 14, 2014," according to the Tree Board.
"When you saw him, your day was better," said Dr. Lindsay Hathcock, representing County Mayor Gary D. Davis and Bradley County.
The new tree replaces one that died on the courthouse grounds. Planting the new one, said attorney James Logan, "reminds us that life springs anew."
The Bradley County Bar Association was represented by attorney Ashley Ownby.
On behalf of his law firm, of which Judge Moss was associated for many years, Mr. Logan presented the Tree Board with a $1,000 check in memory of Judge Moss.
Cleveland City Judge Bill Moss