William Carroll Hoffman Jr.

After graduating from Norton High School in Norton, Ohio Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force and served at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska and Rhein Main AFB in Germany. He separated from active duty in 1966. He reenlisted in the Air Force in 1971 and served in Florida, Thailand, Nebraska and Germany. In September of 1980 he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant and assigned to HQ Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson AFB in Colorado where he stayed until retirement. Bill retired from the USAF on January 8, 1990, where he served with distinction and honor. He was recipient of many awards, medals and decorations.

Bill was also employed at ARINC from 1990 to 2000 as senior principal analyst working on GPS systems; Century Link from 2000 to 2013 where he was a senior member of the Network Performance Metrics group.

In addition to service in the Air Force, Bill also served as Graduate Adjunct Professor for 30 plus years at Webster University where he was director of space studies and taught several space system operation courses. There was often a waiting list to get into his classes. Webster University graduate students under the direction of Bill were instrumental in bringing Spaceport Colorado to Denver. He was often referred to as the “Father of Spaceport.”

Bill had a Master of Art in Government Acquisition in Space Systems Management and in Computer Science all from Webster University.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Erika (Kungl) Hoffman; children, Michelle Hessenflow (Loren), Michael Hoffman (Nikki) and Wendy Ann Leopold (Drew); grandchildren, Keldon Leopold, Dalton Hessenflow, Shelby Hessenflow, Mason Leopold and Ashlee Hessenflow.