William Hoke

William "Bill" Hoke, age 90 years young, passed away on November 8, 2016 at John F. Kennedy Medical Center after a series of illnesses.

Born in 1926 in Arkansas and raised in Arkansas and Missouri. Bill was the eldest of 6 children He was the son of Carl Hoke Sr. (a rail-road worker from Mississippi) and Lily (Trotter) Hoke (of Kentucky). His siblings are Carl, Roberta, Nancy, Sammy and Ola. He was a longtime resident of Missouri and Plainfield, NJ.

In his early years, Bill attended Hermondale High School in Holland, MO. His studies were interrupted to enter the army, but he did graduate high school on May 23, 1947. Bill was a fan of blues music and B.B. King. In his youth, he worked in the entertainment field as a singer and a member of a blues group, performing in night clubs as an opening act for some big-name musicians like Dinah Washington. They even recorded their first and only album.

Bill is a veteran of World War II, he entered the Army in 1945. and earned honorable discharge on 1949. He was decorated with the following metals: Asiatic Pacific Theater ribbon, Army of Occupation Medal Japan, World War II Victory Metal, and the Good Conduct metal. Bill bravely answered the call to serve his country in the Armed Forces before settling down into a number of jobs (namely auto mechanic) to support his family. In Missouri, he worked as an auto mechanic and owned his own shop for a brief period before relocating to New Jersey.

Bill had a passion for all things cowboy, harking back to the days of his youth in Arkansas. One of his favorite shows to watch was Bonanza and Gunsmoke and would even have his children and grandchildren watch shows along with him whenever he was looking after them. He also loved to watch baseball and often rooted for the Yankees. He watches these beloved shows and ballgames throughout his life and up until his final weeks with us.

Mr. Hoke is survived by a wife, Gladys Hoke, brother Sammy Hoke, sister Ola (Hoke) Green, sister-in-law, Theresa Hoke and nephew Kinney Hoke. He also leaves behind 6 children Theresa (Hoke) Campell (spouse of Melvin Campell), William T. Hoke (Annie McClatchey Hoke 1947- deceased mother). Deadrea White (fiancé of Phillip Robinson), Gerald White (spouse of Judy White), Donna (White) McCulloch (spouse of Joseph McCulloch), Stacey (White) Johnson (spouse of Ronald Johnson Sr.). He also leaves behind 8 grandchildren: Billy, Gerrie, Sabrina, Pamela, Starr, Ebony, Ronald Jr. and Dymond. And 8 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren and lots of nieces and nephews.

Wake services will be held this Friday, Nov. 11, 2016 at 10am at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home in Westfield. Funeral service will be held at the same location on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 at 10am. Mr. Hoke will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains.

The Family would like to express special appreciation for your prayers, words of comfort and act of kindness.

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