Our beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather, Joseph Hoffman, recently of Sedro Woolley, passed away at his home on Sunday, September 14, 2014 at the age of 63. Joe was born in Burlington, WA, on September 9, 1951 to Chester and Josephine Hoffman, the youngest of four children. He grew up and spent most of his life in Big Lake, WA, where he attended Big Lake Grade School. He was a star little league player, bringing home a large trophy. He then attended Cascade Middle School and Sedro Woolley High School. While in High School, he played Football and was on the Wrestling team, as well as playing violin in the orchestra. He also worked for Washington Bulb Company and began his 10 year career with Safeway. He graduated on the honor roll from Sedro Woolley High School in May 1969. He completed two terms of business administration at Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, ID. He then transferred to Skagit Valley College where he took Mid Management. He met his wife Shelley Hoffman on her 19th birthday, August 5, 1974 at Ferndale Camp Meeting. She always told him he was her best birthday present. They married August 23, 1975. After they were married, Joe returned with his new wife to Northwest Nazarene College where they sang together in the Northwesterners Small Choir. Joe and Shelley returned to Big Lake in May of 1976. They built their home next to the church and family on a portion of the family property. Here they lived and raised their seven children: Aaron (Kasey), Michael (Heather), Loria, Kyle (Emily), Jaron (Melissa), Jessica, and Stephen. They moved to Sedro Woolley in October of 2009, in order to build a home to raise three of their grandchildren. Joe worked at Safeway in Sedro Woolley, Mount Vernon, and Anacortes for over 10 years, where he began as a Box Boy in high school, then returning after college as a produce manager, finishing in the role of Assistant Manager. In 1979 he began his career at Shell/Tesoro Refinery in Anacortes, retiring in February of 2008. He started off by pushing brooms in the Operator pool, and moved into a role as Operator in various operating units of the refinery. He then moved into the maintenance department as a painter/carpenter, and eventually worked in various supervisory roles until achieving his final role as Maintenance Superintendant. He was a lifetime member of the Big Lake Nazarene Church. As a teenager, Joe started filling numerous roles as a Sunday School Teacher, Song Leader, and Board Member in which he continued until his recent illness. He played a significant part in the remodel project of the Big Lake Church. He was known for his dedication and servant's spirit, and was a dearly beloved member of the church. Joe had an amazingly beautiful voice which has been a comfort and inspiration to all who have been a part of the church's congregation. He was often called upon to for many memorial services and weddings, sometimes along with his wife. Word cannot express what a wonderful, fun, loving man that Joe has been. He has been a solid rock to his family and friends. The most important thing to Joe was his relationship with Jesus Christ, and the desire to share this relationship with everyone that he knew. His illness took him far too soon and he will be greatly missed. We loved you, Joe! He is survived by wife of 39 years, Shelley Hoffman, 5 sons (and 4 spouses) and 2 daughters, and seven grandchildren Katie, Amy, Aavah, Danica, Kaitlyn, Christopher and Claire), 3 of whom he was helping to raise in the family home. Joe is also survived by his brother Phil (Barbara), and two sisters, Melba (Carlos) and Norma, numerous nieces, nephews, and a large loving family. Graveside Services will be held 11:00 AM on Friday, September 19, 2014 at Hawthorne Memorial Park in Mount Vernon. Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Big Lake Church of the Nazarene, with Pastor Dennis Spinnie officiating. Both services are open to all family and friends that wish to attend. In leiu of flowers, monetary gifts may be sent to the Big Lake Church of the Nazarene.