Willard E. "Bill" Hoff

Willard E. "Bill" Hoff

Willard E. "Bill" Hoff, age 69 of Lewisburg, Ohio went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at his residence. Bill was born on September 20, 1954, in Dayton, Ohio, son of the late Robert E. & Sylvia Jane (Trittschuh) Hoff. He was a 1973 graduate of Twin Valley North High School, he also served as a volunteer member of the Lewisburg Fire Department from 1973 to 1976.

Bill joined the US Air Force, where he was stationed at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico where he attained the rank of SGT. He loved the southwest so much, he chose to stay in New Mexico. In addition, he served with the New Mexico Air National Guard stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, in Albuquerque. He was a Boy Scout Troop Master teaching underprivileged boys. While Bill attended the University of New Mexico, he met his future wife, Gloria, and her son Greg. While still in school, Bill and Gloria married, with Greg serving as the ceremonial ring bearer. After graduation, Bill and Gloria lived in Albuquerque, welcoming their first daughter Trish. The family of four then moved to Rio Rancho and welcomed their second daughter Stephanie. Bill's varied careers in New Mexico included working as an insurance agent, a Schwan's driver, and truck driver, and assistant manager at Autumn Wood manufacturing, making southwestern furniture.

In 1997, Bill and his family moved back to Ohio to care for his aging mother. Bill continued his passion for woodworking by teaching at Shopsmith, Inc. While raising his family, Bill and Gloria were joined by two brothers from Ukraine through a foreign exchange program, Denis and Paul. While still in Ohio, Bill and Gloria saw their children marry and begin their own families. One of his final jobs while in Ohio was as a school bus driver for Tri-County North Schools. His love for New Mexico later took him back to the southwest in his retirement.

Retiring in 2020, Bill and Gloria settled in Cuba, New Mexico where they enjoyed the beautiful weather and country of the southwest. They became members of Turtle Mountain Baptist Church in Nageezi, New Mexico. Unfortunately, due to his health concerns, Bill was forced, by his children, to move back to Ohio in 2023 where he spent his remaining time with his wife and family under the care of his daughter Stephanie.

Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Wylie D. Hoff on January 1, 1998 and mother Sylvia, on January 1, 2014.

Survived by his wife of 41 years, Gloria (Mendoza) Hoff of Lewisburg, Ohio; children, Greg & Robin Hoff, Trish & Micah Carruth, Denis & Gulia Shkurapet, and Stephanie & Michael Barnes; grandchildren, Austin Burden, Brody Hoff, Jadon Carruth, Caedmon Carruth, Kenson Carruth, Sawyer Barnes, and Brooklyn Barnes.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Barnes Funeral Home, 411 N. Commerce Street, Lewisburg, Ohio. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 6:00 P.M. at the funeral home with Pastor Rodney Reynolds officiating. The Preble County Honor Guard will provide Military Honors in Ohio. Interment will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, New Mexico on Friday, May 17, at 9:00 A.M.