Arthur W. (“Bill”) Hoffman passed away in Peoria, Ariz., on March 21, 2013.
He was born on Nov. 9, 1929, in Kansas City, Mo., to Melvin and Julia Hoffman. Bill was a graduate of Southwest High School and a member of the Jewish Communities Caisson Fraternity. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Missouri in 1950, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, receiving the fraternity’s National Exchequer award two consecutive years.
Bill served in the U.S. Army 1951-1953 as a corporal in the Finance Corps, and upon discharge he founded his own certified public accounting firm and subsequently became a founder of the Mayer Hoffman McCann CPA firm, one of the largest accounting firms in the area.
During his career he served as president of the Missouri Society of CPAs, was a member on the executive committee of the Division for CPA Firms-Private Practice Section of the American Institute of CPAs, and the Quality Review Implementation Task Force for peer review programs for all firms performing audits and financial services, as well as a member of the council of the institute. Bill was a member of the advisory board of the School of Accountancy at the University of Missouri, and was a recipient of the College of Business Alumni Citation of Merit Award.
He felt responsible to be involved in civic activities. He was chairman of the board of Health Midwest and served on the boards of Research Medical Center and Menorah Medical Center. He was chairman of the board of directors of Shalom Geriatric Center from 1986-1989 and president from 1983-1986. He served on the Jewish Federation’s board of directors from 1987 to 1993; the board of trustees of the Jewish Community Foundation and the Jewish Community Campus from 1985 to 1994. He was a board member and the first treasurer of the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.
Upon his retirement from Mayer Hoffman McCann, Bill relocated to California, where he served as consultant to The Optical Shops of Aspen, and at the time of his death was an executive recruiter for Taylor Steele and Associates serving the financial service industry.
Bill had a love for his family, his work, his dog Dudley, and a passion for life. He was a dedicated sports fan, was an active participant in tennis and golf, and greatly enjoyed baseball, basketball and football.
Bill loved to help others and gave much of his time and support to many philanthropic causes.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Julia; his sister and brother-in-law, Eileen and Josh Markowitz; and a niece, Lois Bialek.
He is survived by his wife Rebecca; son, Stuart Hoffman of Irving, Texas; daughter, Barb Hoffman of Kansas City, Mo.; stepdaughter, Amber and her husband Nick Dixon of Kansas City, Mo.; and nephew, Jerome Levinson of Overland Park.
Funeral services were held at Sunland Memorial in Sun City, Ariz., on Friday, March 22. The family suggests donations be made to the Arthur W. Hoffman scholarship fund at the School of Accountancy, College of Business, University of Missouri; to Village Shalom of Overland Park; or a to a charity of your choice.
A guest book is available at http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/DignityMemorial/guestbook.aspx?n=arthur-hoffman&pid=163782790.