William J. Hoftiezer

William J. Hoftiezer, 81, of Sheboygan Falls, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Sharon. S. Richardson Community Hospice.

Bill was born on January 17, 1944, in the town of Lima, son of William and Marie (Potter) Hoftiezer. He attended Gibbsville Grade School and Oostburg High School before serving his country in the US Navy.

On June 26, 1964, he was united in marriage with Marlene Hopeman in Cedar Grove. They were married for 55 years before her passing on January 20, 2020.

Bill was employed at Bemis, working in the shipping department for over 30 years.

He was a member of the First Reformed Church in Sheboygan Falls. He loved playing Santa for many years, woodworking, traveling and was an avid NASCAR fan. He lived for racing with Eastern Wisconsin from 1967-1969, racing hobby stock before becoming pit steward for many years. Eventually they moved racing up to Manitowoc, where he followed them and took care of the food stand until 2015. His famous line before blowing his whistle was “Line ‘em up.” 

Bill is survived by two daughters, Vicky Horneck and Sue (Cory) Wrensch; three grandchildren, Zac (Danielle) Scholten, Derek Wrensch and Cheyenne (special friend Kevin Looby) Wrensch; great-grandchildren, Maddy, Lily, William, Lydia, Meredith, Charlotte, Lenny, Chase; sister Ruth Hintz; sisters-in-law Angie Hoftiezer, Janice Lohuis and Dianne Stokdyk; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Marlene; son-in-law Tony Horneck; great-granddaughter Lillian Wrensch; brothers Henry (Frances) Hoftiezer, Allen (Lois) Hoftiezer, Kenneth (Dorothy) Hoftiezer, David Hoftiezer, William Hoftiezer Jr. and infant Hoftiezer; sisters, Carol (Miles) Sandee, Marian (Tom) Friedrichs, Vivian Hoftiezer and Dorothy (Ralph) Dulmes; brothers-in-law, James Hinz, Earl Lohuis, Mark Stokdyk, sister-in-law, Audrey (Don) Ringel.

A memorial service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at First Reformed Church of Sheboygan Falls on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 4:00pm with Rev. Brad Veenendaal officiating. Military honors will take place following the service. An entombment will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Park at a later date.

Relatives and friends may greet the family at First Reformed Church of Sheboygan Falls on Thursday, from 2:00pm until the time of service.

Bill’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice and Countryside Manor.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Bill’s name to Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.

For online condolences and additional information please visit www.wenigfh.com. 

The Wenig Funeral Home of Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is serving the Hoftiezer family with arrangements.