Ernest Alphonse "Ernie" Hoff Obituary

Ernest Alphonse “Ernie” Hoff, age 89, of Windthorst, Texas, passed away Saturday night, August 30, 2025, in Hospice of Wichita Falls surrounded by his loving family.

A rosary and vigil service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 5, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Windthorst. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Michael Moloney, OFS, Pastor of St. Mary’s and St. Boniface Catholic Churches, officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Aulds Funeral Home of Archer City.

Ernie was born March 14, 1936 in Windthorst, Texas, to the late Ernest Albert Hoff and Pauline Marie Zotz Hoff.

He graduated from Windthorst High School in 1954, but never had the honor of being a Windthorst Trojan Football player as the football program started in the fall of 1954.

Ernie and Billie Mae Schlabs were married November 9, 1955 in Scotland, Texas.  They were eagerly anticipating their upcoming seventieth wedding anniversary.

He was a dairy farmer until the age of forty, when he turned that business over to his oldest son.  Ernie then began a thirty year career with Bridwell Oil as a pumper until his retirement in 2005.  He also helped his son, Ron, with his custom harvesting business for many years, always coming early and staying late.

Ernie was very involved in various civic and community organizations.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus where he was both a 3rd Degree and 4th Degree Knight and also served in numerous leadership positions, including Grand Knight and District Deputy.  Ernie and Billie also planned the annual 4th Degree trips for many years.  He loved kid’s activities and helping the children of Windthorst and Scotland.  Ernie was a past President of the Windthorst Booster Club and the Parent-Teacher Group(PTG).  He was also instrumental in helping build the Windthorst Athletic Stadium and Football Field.  Ernie loved coaching his sons in little league baseball.  He spent countless hours teaching his children how to care for animals, especially show cattle.  Ernie hauled his family and their show cattle all over Texas, competing in various livestock shows.

He and Billie were well known in the Windthorst community for working the Windthorst Dances.  Ernie was known as the bouncer at the dance hall and Billie served up the drinks.  According to the family, Billie got it all started and Ernie had to finish it.  He was an avid fisherman and hunter and especially loved mule deer and snake hunting.

Ernie was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Windthorst. The first mass in Windthorst was actually held in his grandparent’s home.

Survivors include his wife, Billie Hoff of Windthorst; two sons, Neil Hoff and wife, Barbara of Windthorst and Ron Hoff and wife, Lenora of Scotland; one daughter, Terry Keen and husband, Dale of Wichita Falls; one daughter-in-law, Charla Hoff of Wichita Falls; nine grandchildren, Randy Hoff and wife, Trecie, Diane Herndon, Jenny Barton and husband, Daniel, Lyndon Hoff and wife, Nicole, Kelly Gibson, Julie Elsey and husband, Chad, Kelli Gage and husband, Ross, Avery Barron and husband, Rafa and Brenna Looney and husband, Ryan; twenty-four great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Ida Hoff of Wichita Falls; and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Ernie was also preceded in death by one son, Don Hoff on June 9, 2025; and three brothers, Marvin Hoff and wife Elsie, George Hoff and Toddy Hoff and wife, Cathy.

The family would like to thank Senior Care and Hospice of Wichita Falls for their care and compassion.  Also, they extend a heartfelt thanks to Barbara Schenk Huff and Bobby Steinberger for their frequent visits.

Memorials are suggested to Windthorst Volunteer Fire Department, Post Office Box 162, Windthorst, Texas 76389, the Dale Hoff Scholarship, c/o Windthorst Independent School District, Post Office Box 190, Windthorst, Texas 76389 or Hospice of Wichita Falls, 4909 Johnson Road, Wichita Falls, Texas 76310.