Bill Walton Hoffman

BILL WALTON HOFFMAN, who passed away Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 wrote his own obituary and requested that nothing be changed. Born 29, Oct., 1927 in Little Rock, Ark., to Louie S. Hoffman and Maidie B. Hoffman. My family has lived in Little Rock since my great-grandfather came to town with the Confederate Army in 1862. We are in our sixth generation in Little Rock. Education: Little Rock public schools thru high school. LSU, UALR, and graduate of University of Alabama 1951. Career (dual): Military reservist. Served on active duty with credit for WWII, Korea, Vietnam & Little Rock High School integration crisis. My father Louie S. Hoffman, my eldest son, Bill W Jr. and myself are the first third generation family to serve in the U S Air National Guard. I am Lt Col USAF retired as was my father. I was presented the UDC Cross of Military Honor based on my & my great-grandfather's military service. Civilian career: retired as assistant district manager for the Federal Social Security Administration. I was also the federal health insurance coordinator for southeast Arkansas. Family: Married Mary Sue Daniels Hoffman. Three children, four grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Member: Lifetime member of United Methodist Church, former Kiwanis officer, Little Rock Athletic Club, Sigma Chi national, central Arkansas and Iota Iota Alumni Associations. Civic affairs: Chairman of the board and longtime board member of Southeast Arkansas Equal Opportunity Commission. President and board member Little Rock Roadrunners Club, president and board member University of Alabama national Alumni Association Golden Fifties, served three terms on board of directors MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History until moved up to the Arkansas Military History Heritage Foundation. Former member of Salvation Army Board, instrumental in organizing Miles For Missions a fund raiser for Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. Sigma Chi History: Pledged at LSU Gamma Iota in June 1945. Entered active military service before initiation. This was my only period of active and reserve service in almost 38 years that was not voluntary, by the way. Re-pledged Sigma Chi at Bama Iota Iota fall of 1948 and initiated in the spring of 1949. Served as Tribune, a long term Life Loyal Sig, Semi Century Sig, Sig military awardee and member of the White Cross Trust Foundation. My "Thing": I started my competitive long distance running career at age 55. My most competitive period between ages 56 and 72. I ran only world class marathons. All of my 29 marathons were run under four hours with three hours at Boston being my best. I ran marathons across the U S and internationally (Berlin), I qualified for the Boston Marathon 12 times and five of those were in the man's "Open" category with no age factor. I ran Boston 11 consecutive times including the 100th running anniversary. I ran 14 marathons in 3:18 or under eight in 3:10 or better, all after age 60. I finished first once and third twice in my age group at Boston, won the Dallas White Rock age group six times. Results of my last six marathons were as follows: First at Dallas (age 67), second at Marine Corps in D.C. at 68, second at New York City Marathon but was first American, there were over 100 men in my NYC age group from all around the world, first at San Diego in two attempts. One in 1998 and again in 2000 at age 72, second at Chicago at 71. I was a national master's age group champion in 1986 and was third nationally the year before that. I was the Arkansas age group champion in all races at all distances 5 K thru marathon 1986 thru 1992 and set the state record in all distances, also the senior's champion in most distances while setting state records. I was Alabama 10 K champion and set the state record there twice. I finished in the first 500 at the New Orleans Crescent City Classic with over 23, 000 entrants. I placed seventh in the annual National Gran Prix contest and had the fourth best age group in the U S. Twice I was chosen by our state wide newspaper as best runner/athlete of the year and also twice by the Little Rock Roadrunners Club as Club Runner of the Year. I was a charter inductee in the Arkansas Runners Hall of Fame and later served on the board of directors. Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Sue (Suni), two sons, Bill W. Hoffman, Jr., Randle L. Hoffman, daughter, Sue Ann (Bipper) Hoffman, four granddaughters, Virginia Wininger, Alison Ashworth, Elizabeth Chapman, Melissa Hoffman, two great-granddaughters and one great-grandson. Visitation will be at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham St., Little Rock on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 from 5-7 p.m. Funeral service will be at Ruebel Funeral Home on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017 at 11 a.m. followed by burial at Roselawn Memorial Park. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.