Will Moon, a visionary business leader, a lifelong native of eastern Iowa, and one of the most transformative philanthropic figures in the history of University of Iowa Athletics, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the age of 65.

Serving as the President of the Iowa 80 Group, Will successfully expanded his family’s business into a world-famous regional landmark: the World’s Largest Truckstop in Walcott, Iowa. Known for his keen managerial wisdom, humble spirit, and a deep-seated generosity that avoided the spotlight, Will changed the landscape of collegiate sports in the Midwest. Alongside his wife, Dr. Renee Moon, he engineered an athletic legacy that will support generations of student-athletes in perpetuity.

Building an Iowa Landmark: The Iowa 80 Success Story

Born into an enterprising family, Will’s destiny was intertwined with the American interstate system. In the 1960s, his parents, Bill and Carolyn Moon, opened the original small Iowa 80 Truckstop for Standard Oil along Interstate 80 in Walcott.

As a teenager, Will spent his summers learning the business from the pavement up, working shifts and mastering the logistics of traveler hospitality. Recognizing a natural aptitude for numbers, he attended the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting in 1983. He frequently credited his UI accounting education not for creating a traditional accountant, but for teaching him how to effectively communicate business results and become a world-class manager.

Will eventually took over ownership reins alongside his sisters, Delia Moon-Meier and Carolyn Jill Moon. Under his stewardship as President, the World’s Largest Truckstop grew exponentially into a massive cultural phenomenon, welcoming over 5,000 travelers daily. Today, it stands as an elite interstate oasis featuring eight restaurants, a Super Truck Showroom, a movie theater, a convenience store, and the celebrated Iowa 80 Trucking Museum.

Structural Philanthropy: Redefining Iowa Hawkeye Football

Will’s love for the University of Iowa was cemented during his freshman year in the fall of 1979, arriving on campus just as Coach Hayden Fry began his legendary revival of the Hawkeye football program. Decades later, that passion translated into unprecedented financial backing for his alma mater.

The Head Coach Endowment

In an act of profound structural generosity, Will and Renee made one of the most monumental financial commitments in the history of Iowa Athletics. They established a permanent endowment that forever stabilized the financial future of the program. In recognition of this gift, long-time head coach Kirk Ferentz—and all future UI head football coaches—permanently carry the title of Moon Family Head Football Coach.

Expanding the Hawkeye Footprint

The Moons’ visionary philanthropy was multi-fold, leaving a physical and structural imprint across the entire Iowa City campus:

• The Will and Renee Moon Excellence Fund: Formed to provide vital, unrestricted capital for immediate athletic initiatives.

• The Kinnick Edge Campaign: Provided the critical funding needed to completely revitalize Kinnick Stadium’s north end zone seating and modern concourse.

• The Will and Renee Moon Athletic Scholarship: Established in 2019 to fund long-term higher education access for student-athletes. Will brilliantly built this fund by asking corporate friends and colleagues to redirect holiday gifts and personal tokens directly into the scholarship pool.

Upon learning of his passing, Kirk Ferentz shared an immense tribute to his close friend:

“Will and Renee embody a true spirit of generosity… Their commitment is a remarkable testament to their belief in our programs and student-athletes. Renee and Will are dedicated to the betterment of Iowa athletics, and their gift will prove beneficial for years and years to come. More importantly, we value their friendship and appreciate their unwavering support.”

Personal Life and Lasting Impact

Even more than their shared alma mater, it was a love for Hawkeye sports that brought Will and Renee together. Their very first date took place in 2009 at The Airliner in downtown Iowa City, cheering the football team on to victory against Penn State. Since then, they were fixtures at every home game, eventually buying a condo walking distance from Kinnick Stadium and Carver-Hawkeye Arena to ensure their tailgating traditions remained close to the field.

Will was famously quiet about his wealth and influence, frequently telling athletic directors that he had no desire to see his name in print, but agreed to publicize major gifts solely in the hope that it would inspire other Iowans to step up during lean economic seasons.

Will is survived by his beloved wife and partner in purpose, Dr. Renee Breckenridge Moon; his sisters, Delia Moon-Meier and Carolyn Jill Moon; his stepchildren; and a massive family of thousands of Iowa 80 Group employees, truck drivers, and generations of Hawkeye sports fans.

Private family services will be held on the North Shore, and a public stadium-wide tribute will be held at Kinnick Stadium when the Hawkeyes take the field.