William Randall Hovis

William Randall Hovis, known as Red, age 77, was born June 2, 1948 and was a resident of the city of Sun Valley Idaho. Red died of natural causes in his Sun Valley home Friday, January 2nd 2026.. He is survived by his children Brian Hovis and his wife Marlo, Sarah Hovis and her partner, Leo Flores; former wife and coparent, Linda Hovis; & grandchildren River and Kaison Hovis.

Red was born in Wisconsin and moved with his sister Suzy & mother, Janet Hovis to Palo Alto, California when he was 10 years old. He graduated from Gunn High School in Palo Alto with a full-ride baseball scholarship to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He then transferred to San Francisco State and graduated with a Bachelors in Business. While at Gunn High School, Red achieved California All-State Athlete Status in three sports (baseball, basketball & football) which to this day is extremely rare for any U.S. state, but in particular California. After graduating San Francisco State, he went on to play minor league baseball for several years, and then decided to dedicate his full attention to pursuing a career in business.

He married Linda Closs in December of 1970 after being high school sweethearts, and Red was the Captain of the football team and Linda was on the cheerleading squad. Their son Brian was born in 1977, and Red and Linda mutually decided to separate a few years later, but remained the best of friends throughout their whole life, spending holidays and special family moments together. When Linda’s second child, Sarah Hovis was born in 1991, Red stepped into the role of being her father. Red then had his long term girlfriend and partner, Patty Becker, to accompany him in the latter part of his career and throughout retirement.

During and after college, Red worked for his father in law, Bill Closs, starting a sporting goods sales and distribution company in Santa Clara, California . Bill Closs then became the distributor of the Western States for Adidas. Red became one of the longest term employees at Adidas helping the company grow in the U.S. market for over 25 years. He then expanded his career as an executive leader at multiple major athletic brands, including Fila, Mizuno, Kappa & Deckers. His illustrious career provided unique opportunities for leisure and to travel the world, including 3 Olympic games, factory locations throughout the world, and numerous trips to the famous Adidas Hotel in Germany and the Sport Lodge in France.

Red was a self-made man, hardworking, practical and smart. He did everything with an enthusiasm that spread joy and laughter wherever he went. He was a generous, devoted and supportive father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Red started his dream retirement in 2010, regularly enjoying skiing, golf and his second home in Palm Desert, California; as well as traveling and sports spectating of all kinds (particularly 49ers football and Giants baseball!).

Red is irreplicable and we will miss him greatly! Please contact the following email for memorial donations and remembrance of life details: redhovis1@gmail.com