Born May 16, 1935. Died January 15, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. at Baylor, Scott and White Hospital in Grapevine, Texas.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Fran Williamson Hoover; his children, Erik Hoover and wife Kristi of Austin, Texas; his son, Joe Hoover of Jackson, Mississippi, and his daughter, Carrie Hartwell of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his stepson, Garry Williamson of Greer, South Carolina. His grandchildren are Rylie Hoover, Payton Hoover, Clay Hoover, and Thomas Shanks of Austin, Texas; David Williamson and wife Sarah of Denton, Texas, and Laura Williamson of Greer, South Carolina. His great grandchildren are Parker Shanks of Austin, Texas, and Willow and Jett Williamson of Denton, Texas.
After Ernie graduated from Oklahoma A&M with a math degree, he was recruited into the space industry where he was part of the software team for the first space shot. He worked for the government in Hawaii in a position that required a security clearance. In the 1960’s Ernie worked for Texas-based company where he wrote the software for the first ATM machine. At this same company he developed the baggage handling system. He always said he didn’t like to take credit for the baggage handling software as he and his team watched bags fly off the conveyor belt!
He ended his career with his work on the Y2K software conversion for financial institutions when the calendar flipped from ’99 to ’00. He retired in 2000, stating he was finished with a career that spanned more than four decades.
He was a long-time and faithful member of Lonesome Dove Baptist Church in Southlake, Texas, where he was not only church treasurer but was involved in any activity taking place on the premises. His physical remains will rest at the cemetery next door to the church.
Ernie Hoover was loved and respected by all who knew him as friend or peer. His easy-going manner made him a pleasure to be around. He never had a negative word to say about anyone. This was a man who lived well and died peacefully just the way he lived.
The person who him best, his wife, said she always knew when she was about to cross the line. Without ever raising his voice, he would simply say, “Look lady…” Fran would laugh and say, “I knew I had gotten on his last nerve.”
Ernie Hoover will be missed. His signature grin is stamped in the memory of all who knew him as friend, relative, business associate, or church member. All would say, truly this man was a gentleman and a scholar who enjoyed his life, worked hard, lived well.
If Ernie could speak to each of us today, he would say, “This is not goodbye, just so-long until we meet again in eternity.”
A funeral service for Mr. Hoover will be held Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 2:00 PM, The Dove Church, 2380 Lonesome Dove Rd, Southlake,76092. Private Burial: Lonesome Dove Cemetery, 2380 Lonesome Dove Rd, Southlake, TX 76092.
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