Wilma L. (Shepherd) Vant Hoff

Wilma L Vant Hoff

Wilma “Billie” Lee (Shepherd) Vant Hoff, 87 of Townsend, DE, passed away Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Westminster Village in Dover, DE.

Born in North East, MD, on December 2, 1936, she was the daughter of the late William Bruce and Doris Rose (Howard) Shepherd.  After the untimely death of William in 1938, when Wilma was just 2 years old, Doris later married Roger C. Miles, who was a much-loved father to Wilma.

Billie was in Wisconsin, when she met the love of her life, Clayton “Clay” Maurice Vant Hoff.  They were married and eventually moved to Delaware, where they raised their family in Heritage Park, Wilmington, DE. 

In approximately 1972, Billie and Clay started the family business, Action Coffee, Inc., where they worked side by side.  Because of their hard work and dedication, Action Coffee grew to be one of the most reputable businesses in the Community that employed several family members over its 40-year history.

Billie enjoyed singing, playing the piano, painting, sitting on her back porch with her beloved Clay and swimming in her backyard pool.  There were also countless cups of coffee enjoyed while talking and playing card games with friends and family.

Wilma is survived by her children:  Robert Boyle (Marlene), Jean Younce, Donald Jahns, Susan Smathers-Caputo, Barbara Hughes (David), Mark Vant Hoff and Nancy Altizer (Darren); 24 grandchildren, several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton, and son, Ronald L. Boyle.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Crouch Funeral Home, P.A., 127 South Main Street, North East, MD with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm.

Interment will follow services in North East Methodist Cemetery, North East, MD.

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