William Goff

William Edward Goff (“Bill”) passed away on May 1, 2026, at the age of 92. Bill was born on November 7, 1933 in Staples, Minnesota to Lee and Francis (Jay) Goff. Bill attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated from Staples High School in 1951. On April 7, 1953, Bill married the love of his life, Janis Simon. Together, they raised their four sons in Staples, Minnesota.

After high school, Bill went to work for Northern Pacific Railroad. He also worked at Jenkins Appliance and the Staples Locker Plant. Bill then went to work for a cable TV company in the 1960’s setting up cable TV service for area cities, including Staples, Wadena, and Park Rapids. Bill eventually returned to Jenkins Appliance and bought into the business.

Bill served on the Staples Volunteer Fire Department for 32 years. Bill joined the Fire Department in 1958 and served as Fire Chief for many years beginning in 1979. Bill also served as a director for the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association. During this time, Bill envisioned creating a facility where firefighters, law enforcement and first responders from around the state could come for specialized training. After many years of meetings in St. Paul with legislators, including Representative Rick Krueger, and Governor Perpich, Bill’s vision became a reality with the groundbreaking ceremony for Minnesota Emergency Responders Training Academy (MERTA) in Staples, Minnesota on October 3, 1985. Bill served as MERTA’s Coordinator for several years. In 1986, Bill joined Central Lakes College as a customized training coordinator before retiring in 1999.

Bill said that outside of his pride for his family, he was very proud of his service to his community and the lifelong friends he made while serving on the Fire Department. Bill liked to hunt and fish with family and friends. He also liked to garden and make maple syrup and pickles. He was an excellent teacher! He also had a great sense of humor.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Francis Goff; wife, Janis; granddaughter, Tina Goff; brothers, Darwin and Robert; and several in-laws. Bill is survived by his four sons, Mike (Mary Jo), Mark (Julie), Pat (Beverly), and Dan (Shirley); grandchildren, Jessie Goff, Christopher (Jackie) Goff, Emily (Micah) McGinnity, Ryan (Erika) Goff, and Maren (Joel) Martin; great-grandchildren, Riley, Austin, Charlotte, Lincoln, Merrick, Lyndie, Emma, Madden, and Ari; brother, Richard (Mary) Goff; and sister, Sandy Harper; Bill is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery.