Harley W. Hoover, age 97 of Clinton, Missouri passed away Thursday, October 29, 2009 at Golden Living Center-Westwood, Clinton. Funeral services will be held at Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton, on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 12 noon, with burial in Englewood Cemetery, Clinton. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Vansant-Mills Chapel. The family suggests contributions to Twin Lakes Hospice and may be left in care of the Funeral Home. Fond memories may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com. Harley passed away two days shy of his 98th birthday, following a long and blessed life. He was born October 31, 1911 in Urich, Missouri. Harley was one of seven children born to Eva (Hagan) Hoover and John Hoover. Harley was preceded in death by his mother and father, and his two sisters and four brothers; by his son-in-law George Eager; and by his beloved wife of sixty-six years, Opal Maybell (Hooper) Hoover, who died on December 24, 2001. Harley is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Galen Hoover and Ola Mae (Eager) Hoover of Lee's Summit, Missouri; his daughter Lora Lee Eager of Lee's Summit, Missouri; his grandchildren Cindy Reams Martin and husband J.D. of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Cathy Schumaker and husband Bruce of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Chris Hoover and wife Gwen of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Tracy Eager and wife Shelly of Columbia, Tennessee, and Robin Eager and wife Kelly of Porter, Texaas; and by twelve great-grandchildren and two great, great-grandchildren. Harley and Opal married on February 15, 1935, and first moved to Clinton, Missouri in 1936. They then moved to Kentucky and to Kansas City, Missouri, following work during the difficult years of the Great Depression. They returned to Clinton in 1946, and called Clinton "home" for the rest of their lives. Harley worked for Clarkson Construction Company as a supervisor, constructing roads and highways across the State of Missouri. He retired after more than twenty years of service. Harley and Opal walked arm in arm through all of the trials and tribulations they faced during their lives. Their devotion to one another was at all times unwavering, immeasurable and inspirational. After Opal passed away in 2001, Harley remained living in their home on Water Street, and cooked, cleaned and maintained the home "just like Opal had kept it" until shortly before his death, when his health required him to move to Golden Living Center. Harley joined Alcoholics Anonymous in June, 1957 and humbly celebrated his 52nd AA birthday this past June. Harley touched innumerable lives over that time, and up to his death, continued to receive phone calls, cards and letters from recovering alcoholics or their family members praising the inspiration of his story. Harley truly lived his life "one day at a time."