William S. Hoofnagle

Dr. William Sherrill 'Bill' Hoofnagle (March 27, 1921 - August 15, 2012) was an economist and chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from 1970 to 1972.

Hoofnagle was born in Atkins, Virginia, one of four children of Edgar B. Hoofnagle and the former Martha Cline.

Hoofnagle served in Europe during World War II. Following his service, Hoofnagle attended the University of Virginia, receiving a bachelor’s degree in education in 1947, a master’s degree in 1948 and a doctorate in rural social economics in 1951. He moved to Herndon in 1950 and began working the US Department of Agriculture as an economist in 1951.

In 1961, Hoofnagle announced that he was a candidate for the Herndon Town Council.

Hoofnagle was appointed to the Fairfax County School Board in 1962. In 1964, he became Chairman of the Board.

On December 10, 1969, Hoofnagle was appointed Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors by Judge Arthur W. Sinclair following the resignation the previous month of Frederick A. Babson.

In the special election held on November 3, 1970, Hoofnagle, running as an independent, defeated Republican Walter S. Boone. Running unopposed, Hoofnagle was reelected to the position in the regular election held on November 2, 1971.

Citing increased travel demands at his position at the Department of Agriculture, Hoofnagle abruptly resigned the chairmanship on September 18, 1972. It was also reported that Hoofnagle was privately frustrated with the limitations of the chairman's position, which contributed to his decision to resign.

Hoofnagle retired from the Department of Agriculture in 1985, and moved to Daytona Beach, Florida the following year. In 2005, Hoofnagle moved to Hayesville, North Carolina.