William George Hobaugh

William (Bill) G. Hobaugh, of Portage, MI, passed away on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at the age of 94 at home surrounded by his family. Bill was born to parents Aaron Hobaugh and Goldie Schnapp on September 8, 1921 in Martin, MI. He grew up as the eldest of three. From 1942-1945, he served his country during WWII in the Submarine Navy on the U.S.S. Steelhead. Bill married Marion Derhammer on March 4, 1961. He retired from Georgia Pacific Paper Company in Kalamazoo, MI after 42 ½ years. Bill's hobbies included golfing, bowling, stock car racing (#98), piloting his own plane, fishing, and traveling. During the early 1950s, Bill raced stock cars (#98) and had won several trophies. Bill was an accomplished bowler. In 1959 he had one of the first 300 games in bowling in Kalamazoo and had earned many bowling trophies throughout the years. He shot one hole in one during his years of golfing at Oakland Hills Golf Club. He would tell the story about how he wanted to be a pilot in the Navy but because he didn't have perfect vision he was not able to do so. Later he earned his pilots license and flew his own plane up until 2013. He enjoyed going to fly-in restaurants in Wisconsin and Coldwater, MI with his wife and friends for breakfast. He also liked to take family flying with him, whoever wanted to go just had to ask. Bill also loved to travel with his wife and anyone else that wanted to join them. They visited Hawaii 32 times and took many cruises, to Alaska, the Panama Canal (twice), and the Caribbean (Aruba was his favorite). Bill's favorite things to do also included watching black and white Western movies. He would watch them over so many times that he could recite them verbatim. He also loved to go to the Casino with his wife. They have traveled to a variety of them over the years but his favorite was the Gun Lake Casino. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Marion Hobaugh. Also surviving is Bill's daughter, Brenda (Jack) Marshall, Columbia, MO and son William II (Leila) Hobaugh, Columbia, KY. Bill is also survived by his step children, Darlene Barnett, Portage, MI; Darwin (Margot) Mason, Hartford, MI; Charlene (Jimmy) Chapman, Vicksburg, MI; Debrah (Ronald) Musselman, Lawton, MI; Gay (Doug) Hite, Vicksburg, MI; his brother William (Sonny) Blickenstaff, Georgia; two nieces; twenty grandchildren; and many great and great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Aaron Hobaugh and Goldie Henry; and sister, Martha Williams. Cremation has taken place. Burial will be at a later date. To respect Bill's final wish, there will be no memorial service. The family is grateful for condolences. Donations may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or a charity of choice.