Obituary of William Hoye

 

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of William O. Hoye on December 1, 2023, at the age of 92. Born on December 6, 1930, in Kenosha, WI, to parents Hobart and Hope Hoye (nee Elwell), William led a remarkable life marked by hard work, ambition, and unwavering loyalty to his friends and family.

Bill was married to the love of his life, Betty, on July 18, 1953, and together they were blessed with five children.  A man of diverse interests, William had a passion for golf, animals, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular visits to the gym. An avid reader, he particularly enjoyed his trips to Ireland, immersing himself in the beauty and culture of the country and of course golfing.

During the fall of 1953, Bill answered the call of duty and was drafted into the army. Fortuitously, he spent those crucial years at West Point, contributing to public information efforts. He was a private who was so good at golf he was recruited to play in tournaments with the officers.

This chapter of Bill's life reflects his resilience, adaptability, and the qualities that would go on to define his character throughout the years.

A graduate of Lake Forest College, Bill dedicated many years to his professional career, serving at Cyclone Fence from 1953 to 1971. He was then fortunate enough to meet Tony Bryant who offered him the opportunity of a lifetime to work at Century Fence from 1971 to 1995, as the Executive VP (71-92) and President (93-95) the last few years of his career.

He will be deeply missed by his loving children; Patricia (Ken Huser) English, Mary Louise (Craig) Thompson, Cathy (Bob) Lewandowski, Carolyn (Charlie) Russell, grandchildren; Megan Biwan, Shannon (Mike Bramlett) Biwan, Mary (Mike Carpenter) Lewandowski, Rachel (Trent) Padovich, Liz (Mark) Gerschutz, Casey (Francisco Solis) Hoye, Billy (Haley Dolata) Russell, Sarah (Valentin Macias) Russell, Robbie (Anna Sibley) Russell. He is survived by his sister Elizabeth. He will be missed by his many friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Betty, daughter Peggy Hoye, brother Tom and his parents. 

The family extends their deepest gratitude to Jim and Joanna Koepp, exceptional neighbors who supported Bill in living independently for as long as he did. Special thanks also goes to Sue Schaefer for her unwavering friendship and the New Perspective staff, especially Lauren, Savanna, and Precious who provided excellent care during his final months. The family would like to acknowledge the compassionate care provided by Pro Health Hospice, with a special mention to Jody, whose efforts made everything more manageable for Bill and the entire family.

A Memorial Service for William will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Phantom Lake YMCA, a cause dear to Bill's heart.

Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew him, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, love, and cherished memories. May he rest in peace. As Bill would say, “Don’t take any wooden nickels!”

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