William "Bill" E. Hoban, 80, passed away peacefully Thursday, August 29th, 2024. He was born April 7, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio to Thomas and Mary (Mauk) Hoban.

Bill met his future wife Cynthia when she was 13 and he was 15 and they married 58 years ago on May 7, 1966 in Cleveland, Ohio.  Bill spent the majority of his career with Cleveland Hardware and Forging ("CH&F").  He was initially hired on August 23, 1966 as a Payroll Clerk.  Due to his impressive work ethic, he continued to take on more responsibility; and in 1979 CH&F purchased Green Bay Drop Forge ("GBDF").  Bill was asked to move to Green Bay to become President of GBDF.   In 1985, the owners of CH&F were reaching retirement age and did not have a succession plan. Bill was concerned about his future and that of all of the employees.  So he and another key employee offered to purchase the company as partners.  For the next 10 years, they ran the company together until Bill's partner retired in 1995.  In an effort to secure the company and continue to provide employment for the three divisions of the forging operations, Bill became the sole owner.  From that point on, Bill and his son worked together to grow the company for many years; until recently, when ownership was transferred to his son. Due to his career accomplishments in April of 2007 Bill was inducted into the St. Peter Chanel Hall of Fame, his high school Alma Mater. Bill served multiple terms as Chairman of the Forging Industry Association.  His local involvement in the Green Bay community included board membership at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, NWTC and the Weidner Center. He quietly and generously supported schools, hospitals, the YMCA and many other non-profits whether the need was in his own community or beyond.  For 30 years Bill and his wife Cynthia made a second home in Sanibel, Florida where he was affectionately known as "the Mayor of Sanibel." Bill was known for his generous spirit, storytelling, humor and gregarious nature. He could make a new friend at a moment's notice under any circumstance.  Bill claimed to be just "minding his own business" on a park bench, poolside, retail store, airplane seat or restroom and would end up learning an individual's story and become part of their lives. He was always a magnet for children, whether his own grandchildren or a new friend he just met.  He was often sharing his "you can't make this stuff up" creative storytelling, creating an impromptu swimming contest, or entertaining in some other way.  He had a love for gardening, it was his favorite way to relax and add beauty to the world.  One of his favorite things to do was to come home with a carload of new plants to add to his or another family member's yard.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; four children, Deborah "Debbie" and Mark VandenHouten, Kelly and Mike Van Handel, William "Billy" and Jessica Hoban, Katie Higgins; 13 grandchildren, Madeline "Maddie" and Brendan McCoy, Molly VandenHouten and her fiancé, Jordan Narvett, Jason VandenHouten, Benjamin "Benj" Van Handel, Patrick Van Handel, Eleanor Van Handel, Eloise Van Handel, Maria Hoban, William "Will" Hoban, Lillian Hoban, James Hoban, James Higgins, Lucille "Lucy" Higgins.  He is further survived by his two sisters and a brother; Eileen (Pete) Hoose, James (Anita) Hoban, Joyce Polomsky; sister-in-law, Yvonne (Dan) Webb; brother-in-law, Greg Prosser; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mary Hoban; parents-in-law, Stanley and Eleanor Nolan; an infant grandson, Michael Hoban; a brother and three sisters, Thomas Hoban, Debbie Hoban, Maureen Prosser and Patricia Kramer; brothers-in-law John Kramer and Ron Polomsky.

Friends and family will gather at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 130 St. Matthews Street, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for Visitation on Wednesday, September 4th; parish prayer service to follow at 7:00 p.m. Visitation to continue at church, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 5th; Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Robert Kabat officiating. The funeral mass will be live streamed and can be accessed via www.stmattsgb.org . Burial will be at Allouez Catholic Cemetery. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com .

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude for the care and attention Bill and his family received over the years from Dr. Katherine Nimke, Dr. Philip Yazbak and his team, Dr. Todd Fergus and his team, Dr. Anthony Jaslowski and his team, Dr. Venkata Adavikolanu and his team, Dr. Diane Thaler and her team, doctors and nurses at St. Vincent Hospital, St. Matthew Catholic Community, and our many kind and generous friends and neighbors.  Bill was always conscious of where he came from and those who helped him along the way. He was a firm believer in quietly paying it forward to anyone who might need help. If Bill may have touched your life in some way his family asks that you carry on his legacy by paying it forward yourself.