Bill Hoover

Bill Hoover November 4, 1925 - January 3, 2014 Bill Hoover of Waco passed away Friday, January 3, 2014. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Monday, January 6, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel, with burial to follow at Mt. Calm Old Town Cemetery. Bill was born on November 4, 1925, in Mount Calm to Clarence and Mary Effie Hoover, one of eight boys raised on the farm. He served in China with the 14th Air Force during World War II. In 1952, he graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. After a short stint as a weekly newspaper editor in West Texas, he was hired as the first director of information and public relations with the Texas Farm Bureau. He served as editor of Texas Agriculture, a statewide publication for producer-members. In the 1980s he was instrumental in the start-up of Texas Neighbors, now published quarterly for non-farm member families. In 1954, Bill created the state-wide farm news radio show, "Farm Bureau Roundup," which was broadcast as a public service by more than 100 stations for many years, and which celebrated its 55th anniversary on the air in 2009 with more than 30 stations still on the network. During his years with Farm Bureau, Bill witnessed and was participant in a veritable revolution in communications arts, from 19th Century linotype typesetting to computer desktop publishing, from tape recorders to satellite broadcasting. But, he retired just before the internet. Bill loved history and travel. In his job, he made a trip around the world in 1968. In all his travels he visited six continents and some 35 countries. In 1994, he completed compiling and had printed a history of the Hoover family, specifically the seven families who were progenitors of his parents, including some who went back to the 1560s, plus a distant cousin of his mother who created Popeye, Elzie Crisler Segar. Bill was predeceased by his parents; six brothers; "a very special nephew, Kermit "Jinks" Hoover; and granddaughter, Michelle Warren. He is survived by his wife, Claudia; son, Billy Hoover and wife, Susie , of Robinson; brother, Jack Hoover and wife, Doris, of California; step-children, Michael Warren and wife, Susan, of Florida, and Donna Phelps of Waco; grandchildren, Michele, Bonnie, Crystal, Chris, and Jennifer; five great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; as well as many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Russell McCreary, Gene Hall, Alan Hensel and Cody, Rex and Matt Hoover. A special thank-you for the care given by the doctors and nurses at Hillcrest, Scott & White Hospice and Ridgecrest. In lieu of flowers for those who wish to donate: Make-a-Wish Foundation of North Texas, 6655 Deseo, Irving TX 75039. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey