William Herbert Hoover, also known as Doc Holiday, died suddenly of natural causes at his home March 18, 2005. He was 48 years old.

Doc was born in Ocala, Fla., on July 9, 1956. He came to Vashon after six years in the United States Army/Special Forces. He worked in carpentry and became an accomplished songwriter and performer. He spent many of his last years working with computers and the music industry.

Survivors include his significant other and spiritual companion, Ellen “Muggie” Sparks,

step-daughter Tiffany Sparks of Vashon and her children Matthew, Haley, Marika and Tara, and his step-son Steven Sparks

of Ohio and children Donavan

and Elizabeth.

Additional survivors include three siblings, Debbie Sloshberg of Brandon, Fla., John Hoover of Texas and Richard Hoover of Alabama, and an aunt Jean Hoover, also of Alabama.

There will be a service at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Vashon Eagles with a nine-gun salute to follow.