Who is Belva Davis' husband William Moore? All about the legendary journalist’s family as she dies at 92

15th Annual Courage in Journalism Awards - Source: Getty
15th Annual Courage in Journalism Awards - Source: Getty

Renowned American television and radio journalist Belvagene Davis, commonly known as Belva Davis, took her last breath on September 24, 2025, as per the San Francisco Chronicle, at 92. According to reports, she died from a long illness.

Belva Davis, with a long and successful journalism career, has left behind a legacy of defying constraints and years of honest and objective reporting. The news of her death was confirmed by outlets such as KRON and KQED, where the award-winning, legendary journalist has worked for several years.

As per the San Francisco Chronicle, Davis, originally from Monroe, Louisiana, was the first African-American woman to become a journalist and television reporter on the West Coast. While she was born in Monroe, Belva Davis was raised in Oakland, California, where she started her journalism career in 1957. Despite being well-established and a prominent professional in her field, Davis faced racism and slurs and also met with hostility. However, amid the news of her death, the netizens are interested to learn about Belva Davis' family, especially her husband, William Moore.

Belva Davis's first husband was Frank Davis, whom she married in 1952 and had two children. Then she came across William Moore, also known as Bill Moore, in 1967. At the time, she was working at KPIX-TV. Davis and Moore eventually tied the knot. As per Black Film Center & Archive, William is a photojournalist. Interestingly, he was the first African-American news cameraman who worked full-time for commercial TV in California.

Moore is also widely known for his crucial work, which includes covering high-profile cases such as the O.J. Simpson murder trial and the killings of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk in San Francisco in 1978. William Moore also covered the civil rights and anti-war demonstrations of the 60s and 70s.


Following Belva Davis' death, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee expressed her condolences to her husband and children

15th Annual Courage in Journalism Awards - Source: Getty
15th Annual Courage in Journalism Awards - Source: Getty

After the news of Davis' death broke out, the Mayor of Oakland, Barbara Lee, who met the Emmy-winning journalist when she was a student at Mills College, expressed her condolences to William Moore and Belva's kids, Darolyn and Steven.

Lee described Belva as a "role model, pioneer, and dear friend" and released a statement, saying:

"I will never forget traveling to Italy for her wedding anniversary, where friends and family from across the world gathered to honor the remarkable bond between Belva and Bill. That celebration reflected the strength, joy, and grace she carried into every part of her life. For Black women and people of color working to break into media and television, Belva was a beacon."

Davis further added:

"She opened doors that had long been closed, proving through her talent and perseverance that our voices belonged on the airwaves. She made it possible for a new generation of journalists to see themselves in all forms of media and to know they had a place in shaping public conversation."

San Francisco Chronicle journalist Rachel Gordon, who is also a San Francisco Department of Public Works spokesperson, following Davis' death, described her as "a rock in journalism."

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Edited by Amey Mirashi