William W. Hoffman

William Wayne Hoffman, age 88, of Le Center, went to join his heavenly Father on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at his home of 65 years in Le Center. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 11th from 4-8 pm at the Le Center Funeral Home in Le Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 12th at 10:00 am with visitation one hour prior at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center with Father James Stiles officiating. Military Honors provided by the Le Center area Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Le Center.

William was born at home on February 23, 1935 to John and Martha Hoffman in St. Henry, MN. He was the youngest of 3 children. William attended grade school in St. Henry, but during his childhood, the family purchased a farm outside of Union Hill, MN, where he then continued his education in a one room school house. Prior to beginning High School, William’s parents sold the farm in Union Hill and moved to Le Center, MN where William’s dad and Uncles built the new family home. William continued his education in Le Center at McKinley High School.

On March 3, 1954 William enlisted in the United States Navy and served aboard The USS Dashiell (DD-659), a Fletcher-class destroyer, until his honorable discharge on December 20, 1957. While he was in the Navy, William married his high school sweetheart, Lillian (Budin) Hoffman on September 25, 1956 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center. After leaving the Navy, William started his own business in Le Center, Bill’s 66 Service Station. Upon selling his business, he went to work at Wright’s Chevrolet in Le Center as a mechanic for a few years, before switching over to Ford as the Service Manager at Prochaska Motors, Inc. in Le Center where he worked into the 1980’s. During this time, he also cooked at Elmer’s Bar and Grill in Le Center two nights a week, and for 30 years delivering the Sunday morning Star Tribune newspaper. After hanging up his wrenches, he went to work as a meat cutter at Veen’s Super Value in Le Center until his “retirement” in 1997. During his early retirement he worked at Nusbaum’s in Le Center, hauling mail, and spent several years as the school bus driver of Bus #24 until he hung up his bus keys and officially retired from work on September 28, 2017.

William loved to travel, attending his annual Navy ship reunions which were held in many states throughout the country. He also loved his annual trips to Branson, MO, in addition to all the family trips to Disney World, camping trips, fishing trips, and sight-seeing trips to various areas, but his greatest love was the time he could spend with his children and grand-children.

William was a member of the Le Center VFW Post 1803 and was a past Post Commander and board member. He was one of the founding members of the Le Center Volunteer Ambulance and was part of the ambulance crew for several years during its formation, and re-joined again during his retirement to help fill the needs of the ambulance crew. He was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus, and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, holding several offices, including District Deputy where he was instrumental in starting a new council in Arlington, MN. He was also a life-long member of St. Mary’s Catholic church serving in many various roles.

William is survived by his three children, Patti Ann Gruetzmacher, Le Center, Brian (Michelle) Hoffman, Le Center, and Steven (Katie) Hoffman, Rochester; 7 grandchildren, Nanci (Erik) Valdmanis, New Prague, Christopher (fiancé Rachelle Balfe), McKenna, Dalton, and Kailey Hoffman, all of Le Center, Jake and John Hoffman of Rochester; sister-in-law Mary Teresa Budin and sister-in-law Mary Agnes Budin.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife of 61 years Lillian who passed away on September, 28, 2017; granddaughter, Jennifer Lynn Gruetzmacher; sister, Mary Selly and brother, Alvin Hoffman.

Arrangements are with the Le Center Funeral Home, 507-357-6116. On-line condolences can be placed at lecenterfuneralhome.com