Willam Dewey "Smoke" Hoyles

William Dewey Hoyles, Sr., 74, affectionately known throughout the community as "Smokehouse" or simply "Smoke," was born on December 22, 1951, and departed this life on September 21, 2026. He was the beloved son of the late Semmie Hoyles and the late Lureatha Moffatt-Hoyles, and the sixth of eleven children.

Smoke was baptized at Nazareth Baptist Church, where he formerly sang with the Men's Choir. He graduated from Emmett Scott High School in 1970; he studied welding at York Technical College, and later attended Magnum Barber School.

He worked for Fruehauf Welding Company and later became a Master Barber and barbershop owner. From his shop, Smoke opened doors for young barbers and beauticians, encouraging many to build successful businesses of their own. Smoke was a devoted mentor to Tahari Gwinn, who worked alongside him in 1998 and remained his personal barber.

In addition to his parents, Smoke was preceded in death by his daughter, Anna L. Hoyles; sister, Norma H. Banks; brother, Herbert L. Outing; nephews, J. Keon Minton and Juqeise P. Hoyles; and niece, Norma Nathona Banks.

A well-known barber with a heart of gold, he was the kind of man who would give you his last without a second thought. He never met a stranger. He was the king of spades and the maker of Cooter Soup. He was loud, loving, generous, funny, friendly, and unapologetically himself -Smoke was truly one of a kind.

Left to cherish his loving memories are his wife, Dianne Brice-Hoyles; son, William D. Hoyles, Jr. (Amber); daughter, Danielle S. Hoyles; four grandchildren, Tyler D. Hoyles, Daniel Hoyles, Tristan Hoyles, and Ashton Hoyles; brother, Dale W. Hoyles; sisters, Naomi H. Thomas, Gladys Daniel (Jerome), Levonne McCullough (Charles), Freddie Pickett (Eddie), Zorada Hoyles, Connie Minton, Gloria G. Brown (Donald) and Gail Cook (Marion); cousin raised in the home, Horace Moffatt, Jr. (Phyllis); mother-in-law, Mrs. Leola Brice; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Hoyles, Daisy Blake, Ruby Brice and Vanessa Nichols; brothers-in-law, Richard Belton, Michael Belton, and David Brice; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends.