White Pine County native Bill (Bumpa) Hoggan passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, October 2, 2014 at the age of 86. James Willoughby Hoggan was born on October 14, 1927 to George W. and Lillian Hoggan in Ely, NV. He graduated from White Pine High School. Bill volunteered for the United States Navy at the age of 17 years and served at the end of the Second World War, earning the distinguished honors of Order of the Penguin, Brotherhood of the Horned Shellbacks, and was a participant in Operation High Jump.
Bill married Margaret (Chick) Thiessen in 1950. Together they raised three children: Mike, Pat and Cari. He worked as a General Foreman for Kennecott Copper Corporation. For over 20 years Bill was a member of the McGill Town Council, the McGill Volunteer Fire Department, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
He loved to go to the cricks and the cabin, could pitch a mean game of horseshoes, enjoyed Slot Club and was an avid cribbage player. His number one priority was caring for his family and community. Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew him!
He is survived by his son Michael (Barbara) Hoggan, Valier, MT; son Patrick Hoggan, Sacramento, CA; daughter Cari (Robert) Matyja, McGill, NV; sister Ethel Ann Gust; grandchildren: Jacob (Jennifer) Brunson, James Brunson, Katie Jean (Jonathan) Schrader, Chad and Sean Hoggan; great grandchildren: Tyler, Cody, Jacob Arley, Mikenzie and Hayden Brunson, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Margaret, parents George and Lillian and siblings Ernie, Mickey, Pat, Geraldine, Mary and Colline.
Graveside services will be held at the Ely City Cemetery on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 2:00.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Another one of our 3rd street group gone. one thing I remember is that his dog and my dog disliked each other and his didn’t like going down the street cause mine was bigger. His would hide under a car and always seemed to have a greasy back.
We always enjoyed his burgers at the town picnic where I was a lifeguard in 1946.
Wonderful person and friend to my Dad, Stanley Sopher, right up until the end. Dad called him “Little Bill.” He was a great friend to my family. You will be missed.