William Hocker
RONAN — William C. Hocker passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on May 29, 2024, at 7:43 a.m. of natural causes at 100 years of age. He was born on March 23, 1924, in Helena. His parents were Almon Hocker and Mamie Marie Hocker of Ronan.
William graduated from Ronan High School in 1942. He enrolled briefly in Montana State University and soon thereafter left the university to volunteer for service in WWII. He and lifelong friend Phil Maxwell received infantry training at Camp Walters in Texas, volunteered for service in the 10th Mountain Division and were riflemen in the 5th Army. They made an unescorted ship crossing of the Atlantic with 9000 other servicemen to Naples, Italy. William was home briefly on leave with orders to report to the Pacific Theater when the war there ended. He mustered out of the Army on Jan. 14, 1946.
William returned to Ronan to farm with his father, Almon. He married Phyllis Irene Deffinbaugh on Aug. 3, 1950, in Missoula. They were married for 71 years and had seven children together: Susan, Marilyn, Marjorie, Evelyn, Bill, Amy, and Jon. The couple and family were actively engaged in the vibrant community of the time, which included Friday dances at the community hall with live music played by local musicians. For over 10 years, William and Phyllis managed the North Crow Clubhouse, and they offered the use of their pool for swimming lessons. They were delighted to provide the facility where hundreds of children in the community learned the important life skill of swimming, guided by instructor Kathy Gallagher.
William Hocker and Victor Starkel became interested in growing certified seed potatoes after a shared work experience on the Walter Mangels farm and soon each launched their own seed potato operation. William loved to farm and raised crops successfully for over 40 years. He operated farm equipment, including complex potato harvesting equipment, when he was over 90 years of age.
William is survived by his seven children: Susan, Marilyn Jette (Garold), Marjorie Haviland (Esther Abahazy), Evelyn Brugger, Bill Hocker (Sherrie), Amy McKenzie, Jon Hocker (Karen), 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren.
A public memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 15, at 11 a.m. at the Ronan Community Center with Chaplain Zimmerman officiating.
A family memorial and graveside service will precede the public memorial service.
Memorials may be made to The American Legion, Ronan Post 138, the organization to which William and Phyllis donated the land associated with the North Crow Clubhouse.
