Nov 27

Nov 27 Obituary: William (Bill) Gordon Hovland, 71, Hood River

William Gordon Hovland (Bill), of Hood River, Oregon, passed away unexpectedly on November 22nd, 2023 at the age of 71.

Bill was born on September 4th, 1952, to Betty and Robert Hovland in Sioux City, Iowa. He started working at the family company, Hovland Manufacturing Co., in 1966, eventually coming to own and run the company. He graduated from East High School and was also in the Army Reserves from 1971 to 1977. After moving to Cody, Wyoming in 1994, he became a Snap-on Tools franchise owner.

He met Kathy Butler in 1979 on a blind date and they married on May 17th, 1980. Bill and Kathy went on to have two children, Lara and Justin.

Bill enjoyed playing golf, visiting Yellowstone National Park, cooking for family and friends, and helping with home projects big and small. He enjoyed a good debate, and always had a positive outlook on life. He was also an 18-year cancer survivor. After retiring in 2015 he and Kathy moved to Hood River to be closer to family, where he perfected his recipes for bread, pastries, and cassoulet, and also volunteered as a tax preparer.

Bill is survived by Kathy Hovland (wife, Hood River, OR), Lara Schukar (daughter, Hood River, OR), and her husband Ben, with grandchildren Drew and Max, Justin Hovland (son, Portland, OR) and his wife Virinia, with grandchildren Soren and Ramona, Julie Hovland (sister, Sioux City, IA), and Mary Anne Oehlerking (sister, Sgt Bluff, IA), Cindy and Tom Tiedeman (sister-in-law, Naples, FL), Christy and Will Schreiber (sister-in-law, Scottsdale, AZ), and Angie and Harry Ackerman (sister-in-law, Westmoreland, NH), and nieces and nephews Dena, Brian, Mary Lee (Donny), Lee, Espen, Seth, Austin, Melanie, and Derek. He was preceded in death by Betty and Robert Hovland (parents), David Hovland (brother), Roberta Lynn Hovland (sister), and Tom Oehlerking (brother-in-law).

His family will be holding a Celebration of Life for Bill at a later date in Hood River, OR.

Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.