Obit: Hoeft, Willard E. (1922 - 2009)

Contact:: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Butkus, Harley, Hatmaker, Hoeft, Lodahl, Steinke, Wosilius 
 

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI), Wednesday, October 1, 2009, Online Edition 
 

Hoeft, Willard E. (June 16, 1922 - September 23, 2009)

 
Willard E. Hoeft of Dripping Springs, Texas, formerly of Winter died Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at the Hill Country Care Center in Dripping Springs, Texas.

 
Willard was born June 16, 1922 in Holton, the son of Theodore and Olga (Steinke) Hoeft.

 
He received his education in Chippewa Falls and graduated from the 12th grade. He married (Eva) Joyce Lodahl on Sept. 14, 1946. They divorced in 1965. Willard later married Mary L. (Wosilius) Butkus on Sept. 26, 1970.

 
Willard enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard in Chippewa Falls in November 1938. His unit was activated October, 1940. In 1941, Willard transfered into the Army Air Corp which later became the 8th Air Force. He flew 52 missions over Italy, Sicily and Germany with the 301 Bomb Group/32 Bomb Squad during WWII as flight engineer on a B-17 called 'the Gremlin'. Willard was a decorated veteran who served his country faithfully.  
 

After his honorable discharge, Willard obtained his training in estate planning and insurance sales and worked for New York Life.  
 

He also learned the tool & dye trade and worked a short time for Boeing Corporation in Seattle and in Alaska.  
 

In 1970 he established Hoeft Homebuilders in Hayward, along with his brother Howard, and was a skilled cabinetmaker. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.  
 

He worked as a fishing guide in the Hayward area for more than two decades and loved 'hunting' muskies. He was known to many in the area as "Musky Bill".

 
He is survived by his daughter Jacqueline Ann Hatmaker of Spring Branch, Texas; two grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He is further survived by a sister Dorothy Harley of Minn.; one niece; and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou; his parents; and his brother Howard.

 
A committal service for Willard will be held on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Abbotsford Public Cemetery.

 
The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home of Abbotsford is assisting the family with arrangements.