Bill Gene Holder
Bill Gene Holder, 91, of Bryant, passed away Saturday, June 19, 2021.
Born Oct. 22, 1929, to the late Earl Holder and Dena Golden on a rural route in Clark County.
He is survived by his children, Jeffrey (Faye), Stuart (Donna), Ronald (Paula); grandchildren, Jason, Brandon, Jennifer, Jody, Kendell, David, RC and Trish; and 20 great-grandchildren.
He deeply loved his family and was very proud of how well they turned out. Bill cherished his visits from family, especially in later years when he couldn't get out. He loved to travel with family and always had his passport handy and ready to go whether by car, plane or cruise ship.
Bill attended first through fifth grade in a one room school house in
Hollywood Arkansas and graduated from Arkadelphia High School in 1947.
Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and was stationed in England
during the Berlin Air as a medic. It was there he met Marian Garner, an
English girl who captured his heart and became his wife of almost 50 years
(died May 26, 1999).
After returning to the States, he attended Henderson State Teachers
College and obtained an Associate of Arts Certificate in general education. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in business and later obtained a law degree. He liked to talk about his grandchildren who also attended the University of Arkansas. He then was back on active duty in the Army in various post working as an Infantry office in positions of platoon leader, executive officer and company commander. He liked to say when he got orders to go to Korea, they found out he was coming they had a cease fire. He served six years active and 30 in the reserves retiring as a colonel. He retired from the State of Arkansas, working at was then the Employment Security Division.
He was an active Mason and Shriner until health slowed him down. A regular attending member of the First Southern Baptist Church until unable to attend in later years.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at Ashby Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, June 24, at Ashby Funeral Home with burial at Pinecrest Memorial Park.
The family would like to thank all the staff at Mt. Carmel Assisted Living for making the past four years so wonderful for him.
On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.