William Duane Hoobing

William “Bill” Duane Hoobing, age 89, of Overland Park, KS, passed away on May 5, 2025. Bill was born in a farmhouse in Agricola, Kansas on January 8, 1936, to William E. Hoobing and Grace (Price) Hoobing. His family later moved to Ottawa, KS. Bill graduated from Ottawa High School in 1954. He attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence for two years, then entered the U.S. Army in 1956. After his discharge from the Army, he returned to KU to finish his studies. He graduated from KU in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

While at KU, he worked in the cafeteria of a women’s dormitory, and it was there that he met his true love, Sara Jo Pursley from Coffeyville, KS. Bill and Sara were united in marriage on June 19, 1960, in Coffeyville. The couple moved to Overland Park, KS shortly after their marriage. They were married for 44 years until Sara’s passing in 2004.

Bill spent his entire career as a teacher in the Shawnee Mission School District, teaching at the middle school and high school levels from 1960 until his retirement in 1997. He was not just an educator but also a counselor and friend to many students.

Bill had a natural talent for woodworking, including sculpture, construction, and antique furniture repair. He loved to travel, and he took the family on many memorable vacations during summer breaks. He began running in his 20s and was a frequent competitor in local races. In his 70s and 80s, he traveled across the country to run in the Senior Olympics. He had a lifelong love of collecting antiques, and he always enjoyed showing off his treasures to his friends and family.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Sara Jo. He is survived by his sons, Heath Hoobing (partner, Robert Miles) and Kurt Hoobing (wife, Stephanie Hoobing); his grandson, Charles “Charlie” Hoobing; his sister, Delpha McCracken; and his nephews and nieces, Kevin McCracken, Mark McCracken, Angie Weller, and Elizabeth Kelley.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66204, with a visitation starting at 1:00 p.m.