Bill Hoist  '75  passed away on March 5, 2005 from a sudden heart attack.

After serving as our sometimes crazed leader, friend, rebel without a cause, stud, and Commissioner General in high school, Bill grew into a devout Christian, extremely devoted father and husband, a teacher and shepherd of kids in South Central Los Angeles, a highly-respected soccer coach and much more.  He remained a leader in every aspect of his life.  Though his manner softened as he matured, he never lost that energy, enthusiasm, spirit, and that piercing stare into your soul that we all knew and shared when we were in his presence.

Bill will be deeply missed by his wife Becky, their children, Allison, Kevin, Brian, and Jason, and all of those who had the opportunity to be part of his unique life.

Bill's memorial service was held at Lake Avenue Congregational Church in Pasadena where Bill and his family worshipped for the past five years.  The service was attended by what appeared to be more than a thousand of his family members, friends, students, colleagues, soccer coaches and families, and fellow believers.  His memory was honored by musical performances or readings by each of his remarkable children; descriptions of his life by his sisters Jane and Debbie, and remembrances by friends and colleagues in fellowship, education, and coaching.  (Although our classmate and Bill's sister Linda was here through the weekend, circumstances dictated that she could not participate in the service as a result of a change in the schedule.)  The services were also attended by Bill's mom and dad, who now live in Oregon, and many other Hoist and Davis family members.

Through a twist of fate, the valley plots Bill had purchased some twenty-five years ago at Rose Hills in Whittier were unavailable, with the incredible result that he was laid to rest at the highest point in the park, "on the mountaintop," as his wife Becky said.  From his gravesite, we could look west and see downtown Los Angeles and even the ocean on a clear day.  To the northwest you can see Rio Hondo League territory, including South Pasadena.  To the northeast looms Mount Baldy's snow-capped peak.  It is a beautiful and inspiring place - "holy ground," as Becky said.

At the graveside service, many people spoke of Bill's life including notably a number of his current and former students at Jefferson High School and Manual Arts High School in South Central Los Angeles.  His youngest son Jason remembered that Bill "never put people down, but always lifted them up."  Several people spoke of that smile that could light up a room.

Afterwards, family and friends gathered at the church for lunch supplied by volunteers including coaches and families from Region 214 of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) which counted Bill among its top coaches.