William G. Von Hoff

William G. Von Hoff, 99, was born on March 19, 1926, in Batavia, Illinois, and passed away on March 4, 2026, at the Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home in El Paso, Texas. The third child of Otto Isadore Von Hoff and Minnie Ellen Coester Von Hoff, he was preceded in death by his older siblings, George Von Hoff and Mildred Hollis. His younger brother, Charles Von Hoff, survives in Illinois.

At a young age William already showed a strong work ethic, carrying the largest newspaper route in town at nine and later setting bowling pins two lanes at a time. He joined the United States Navy at seventeen, following his brother George, and served as Baker Second Class at Pacific Beach Naval Base in Washington State and later in California. While stationed in Washington, he met Claribel Lee Coffey; they married on January 16, 1945, in Aberdeen, Washington. After his naval service, William worked as an electrical lineman in Batavia, Illinois.

Together William and Lee became Christians and attended the Foursquare Gospel Church in Aurora, Illinois. They moved to Los Angeles to attend LIFE Bible College in preparation for ministry. Upon graduation they pioneered the Foursquare Gospel Church in Vincennes, Indiana, followed by a pastorate in Joliet. Selected by the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, they served as missionaries in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and Santiago, Chile, where they established pastoral training Bible institutes. They also managed para-church orphanages in Honduras and Baja California, Mexico, and served as home managers for the Bridwell Home boys’ unit at the Methodist Home in Waco, Texas. Later they pastored churches in Blythe, California, and North Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1978 they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, their first owned home, where they remained active at Crossroads Church and conducted services at the Albuquerque Rescue Mission for more than fifteen years.

Lee passed away in 2020 after seventy-five years and seven months of marriage. William then lived with his son Steven and daughter-in-law Beverly until entering the veterans home in February 2026. He is survived by his children Bobbie of Olympia, Washington, Allan of Maryville, Tennessee, and Steven of Las Cruces, New Mexico; nine grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, twelve great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Gordon and granddaughter Kerry. A devoted WWII veteran, pastor, missionary, Bible educator, and friend to all, William lived a life of faithful service and quiet strength.