Cash's Liquors founder Cash Moore dies at 85: 'I know he had the fullest life.'

The Emerald Coast continues to mourn the passing of a local legend, William "Cash" Moore, the charismatic liquor magnate and philanthropist, who peacefully passed away on July 20 at the age of 85 with his daughter Cashen Moore and her mother, Sheri Nesmith, by his side.

Moore had a profound effect on the lives of countless individuals, according to family and friends.

On Wednesday, July 26, a celebration of life will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Emerald Coast Funeral Home.

"I know he had the fullest life. If anyone could have half the life he did, they would have a full life," Cashen Moore said.

Humble beginning

Born on Nov 29, 1937, to Carl Cashdollar and Delores Dunn, Cash Moore was raised in Fairpoint, New York. In the early 1950s, his mother and Richard Moore Sr. moved to the Emerald Coast with his six siblings: Dickie, Jonny, Jerry, Dee Dee, Sherry and Margie.

After graduating from Crestview High School, Moore bounced around from various schools in Mississippi before finding his home at Auburn University. During that time, he worked at a clothing store near campus and sold football tickets to players on the team.

Moore honed the art of the hustle, which eventually earned him the iconic nickname "Cash" — a name that would become synonymous with his legacy and hustle.

Using the skills he learned

After a short time in the U.S. Army, Moore realized his dream of entrepreneurship when he opened his first establishment, the Faux Pas, in 1965. Thanks to Moore's showman personality and ability to entertain guests, this quaint bar rapidly transformed into the hottest spot on the Emerald Coast. With his natural charm and infectious humor, Moore cultivated an environment where people felt at home, and his businesses flourished.

Over the years, the Cash's Liquors empire became the largest independent liquor chain in Northwest Florida, comprising 10 stores, six sports bars, a gentlemen's club and a nightclub.

In 1984, fate once again showed up in his life as he met Sheri Nesmith, who walked into one of his establishments and bonded over a spirited game of Pac-Man. The couple's love blossomed and culminated with the birth of their daughter Cashen five years later.

Beyond all of his accolades and recognition, Moore cherished fatherhood and proudly proclaimed that his daughter was the greatest gift that life bestowed upon him.

Giving back

Not only has Moore built a successful business, but he also used his station to give back to the community that gave him everything.

In a 2017 interview with the Northwest Florida Daily News, Moore told the story of how he gifted gym equipment to Freeport High School.

"I closed a gym, and I called Coach Jim Anderson over at Freeport because I've had a store there for over 20 years," Moore said. "Coach Anderson came over on a Friday, looked at the stuff, and showed back up on Saturday morning with about 12 or 15 trucks from the Freeport community. So I gave that whole gym to Freeport High School... to have a weight room for his football team."

The contributions didn't stop there. In 2015, he bought championship rings for the Freeport High girls basketball team when they won the state championship. In 2017, he gave $10,200 to the Baker High football team after it went 14-0 in the previous season.

"(Coach Brunson) called me back the next day and told me it would be $10,200 and asked me how much I wanted to chip in, and I just told him I'd pay for all of it," said Moore.

"People that actually know me really know I've never had a drink or smoked a cigarette in my life, but 90 percent of the people think I'm a drunk or an alcoholic. The people in Crestview that knew me and grew up with me will tell you the same thing because they know me."

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Taking the reigns

"I couldn't have asked for a more amazing father," said Cashen Moore. "He's so good with my kids. It's more upsetting that I am losing my best friend; he's the person I would always choose to spend my time with."

Fourteen years ago, after graduating from Auburn, Cashen joined her father to help him run the business. Even though it wasn't easy at first, she said that the lessons she learned from her father helped turn her into the woman she is today.

"We definitely had our ups and downs where we would agree and disagree," said Moore. "But as I grow older, I understand where he was coming from on everything. I feel like I am repeating everything he said to me all this time. Now I completely understand where he was coming from."

Moore and the rest of the family have been inundated with stories and kind words on how Cash Moore has affected their lives.

"People have been asking, 'What can we do?' You can go to Cash's and support the business; that's what my dad would want everyone to do. People have been coming to the lounges and taking shots in honor of him. It is truly an amazing thing to see."

Cash Moore was 85 years old and left behind his daughter Cashen; his grandchildren, Kaleesi, Cash and Million; his wife, Sheri, and his siblings Dickie, Johnny, Jerry Dee Dee and Sherry.

He will be laid to rest on Thursday, July 28, in a small ceremony of friends and family.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Cash Moore dies at 85; founded iconic group of liquor stores and bars