HOOVER, Clayton (Smokey)

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, January 09, 2013 Clayton “Smokey” Hoover passed away unexpectedly Jan. 1 as a result of a major stroke. His friendly positive attitude was contagious and will be sorely missed by his family and friends. Born May 19, 1928, in Bartley, Neb., he led a very active life. From Nebraska, he moved to Nampa, Idaho, and then settled on Whidbey Island in Washington State. There, he met and married Frances Winona Webley, who preceded him in death in 1996 after 44 years together. His civic service public works career at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island lasted 28 years, and he retired in 1978. Smokey loved horses and always lived where he could be around them. His cowboy boots and hat were never too far away. He later married long-time friend Dorothy Cort and moved to Wickenburg in 2001. He especially enjoyed the worldwide traveling they were able to do, as well as visits to their families in Washington and Oklahoma. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Cort; children Claudia (Ken) Urquhart of Custer, Wash., and Gary (Becky) Schuyten of Schuyten, Wash; stepsons Steven (Sharon) Cort of Enumclaw, Wash., and Larry (Lisbeth) Cort of Coupeville, Wash.; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters Cleda Link of Boise, Idaho, and Dawna Case of Mt. Vernon, Wash.; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held later at the Coupeville Cemetery on Whidbey Island. Arrangements are under the direction of David’s Desert Chapel in Wickenburg.