HOFFMAN, William Walter

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona October, 2010 Hoffman, William Walter 89, passed away peacefully, Sunday, October 3, 2010 at home, surrounded by his wife, 2 daughters, and grandchildren. Dr. Hoffman was born May 17, 1921 in Kansas City, Missouri. He moved to Phoenix when he was 8 years old. He grew up living next door to his later to be wife, Mary Louise on Runyon Street (now Mitchell) in Phoenix. He went to Brophy High School then transferred and graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1938. He then went on to graduate from Phoenix College in 1940. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Louise. His daughters, Christine Wichert of Downey CA, and Carol Pace of Mesa AZ also survive him. He has 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. He leaves behind a legacy of 5 generation. During WWII he was a first class Petty Officer in the Navy. He served on the USS Copahee CVE carrier in the south pacific July 1943 to December 1945. After WWII he returned to Phoenix to marry is childhood sweetheart Mary Louise Perry, in 1947 and start Hoffman Construction Company.He built many homes and apartment buildings on north Central Avenue. He named the street Stella Lane after his grandmother. In 1950 he decided to go back to Dentistry school at the University of Missouri. He then returned to Phoenix in 1954 to practice dentistry until 1983. He was a founding member of the first Phoenix Rotary Chapter. During his presidency he was instrumental in the worldwide fight against Polio. He was and avid sportsman. His hobbies included hunting and fishing. He also built his own dental office and several of his residences. He was a member of the ORB Club after his retirement. He will be truly missed by his family and friends. His loving spirit will remain in our hearts forever. Services will be held at Bunker Family Funeral Home, 3529 E. University Drive Mesa, AZ 85213 on Friday, October 8th at 10:00 am.