William Leo Hoge, known affectionately as Bill to his friends and family, passed away at his home in The Villages, Florida, on April 5, 2025. He was born on April 23, 1943, in Ferdinand, Indiana. Bill was a man of deep faith, intelligence, and thoughtfulness whose presence enriched the lives of all who knew him. Bill was the beloved husband of his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann (Hagedorn) Hoge, whom he married in 1962, and a devoted father to his two children: Glenn Edwin Hoge (Cheryl) of Zionsville, IN, and Todd Michael Hoge (Amy) of Marysville, OH. His life was further blessed by five grandchildren: Mackenzie (Bobby) Egan of Westfield, IN; Mitchell (Brynn) Hoge of Zionsville, IN; Megan Hoge of Zionsville, IN; Trent Hoge of Marysville, OH; and Shelby Hoge (fiancé Galen Kaple) of Westerville, OH; and two great-grandchildren, Sophia and Valerie Egan of Westfield, IN, with one more on the way. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Dorothy Hoge, and his sister, Phyllis Winkler. While living in Ferdinand, Bill worked at the local gas and service station during high school. It was during this time at Ferdinand High School that he met the love of his life, Mary Ann. After high school Bill and Mary Ann married and started their beloved family. Bill served in the Army National Guard for several years and gave back to his community as a volunteer fireman, a member of the Ferdinand Legion, and through many other local organizations in Dubois County. Bill held a variety of careers over the years. He was a machinist at DMI Research and Development, an executive with Valvoline Oil Company, and later a retail business owner alongside Mary Ann, operating Casual Corner and Cobbler's Corner in Ferdinand, IN. Together, they also ran Shirtworks Etc. in Jasper, IN. After selling that business, Bill became a sales representative for his son Todd's company, Graphic Stitch, Inc. Bill's greatest joy was spending time with Mary Ann, his family, and friends. His adventurous nature and passions were passed on to his sons and grandchildren. He loved to travel, achieving a lifelong dream of visiting all fifty states with Mary Ann. Colorado held a special place in his heart, where he took the family skiing for the first time in 1972. He especially loved Hawaii, visiting five times. He was a proud Purdue Boilermakers supporter, the college which his sons and three of his grandchildren graduated from. Bill also had a lifelong love of the Indianapolis 500, which he attended every year he could since childhood, a tradition he cherished with his sons, grandchildren, and friends. Bill and Mary Ann moved to The Villages, Florida, in 2015. There, he enjoyed social gatherings with neighbors, golfing, reminiscing about his adventures in travel, and participating in various clubs and activities. A man of strong Catholic faith, Bill lived his values through kindness, generosity, and a genuine care for others. He was a thoughtful friend, a steady mentor, and a loving cornerstone to his family. As his family remembers him, they take comfort in the full and meaningful life he lived. They will always carry the lessons he taught them—most of all, that they were deeply loved. Bill touched the hearts of all who knew him. His gentle spirit will be missed, and his memory treasured. As we say goodbye, we do so with deep gratitude for the time we had and the love he gave us. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those he loved and who loved him. A funeral service for William will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday April 28 in St. Ferdinand Church with burial to follow in St. Ferdinand cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m. EDT in the church and on Sunday April 27 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand. Online condolences may be shared at www.becherfuneralhome.com