William C. "Bill" Holmes of Manitowoc, passed away on Friday, July 2, 2021.
Bill was born on March 18, 1928, in Stambaugh, Michigan, the son of John H. and Ebba (Berquist) Holmes. He treasured his family, heritage, and growing up in the U.P. He was an outstanding student athlete graduating from Stambaugh High School in 1946. Bill attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA on football scholarships and received an Associate degree from North Park College in Chicago, Illinois. In 1952, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN. Following graduation, he served in the United States Army from 1952-54, where Bill was selected as a member of the Counter Intelligence Corps; he was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. In 1953, while in the service, Bill married Margaret "Peg" Sternaman of Chicago, IL.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he began working for Texas Oil, and later accepted a position with Mobil Oil. It was at Mobil that he built his career.
In 1972, Bill purchased Wingfield Oil in Manitowoc, WI. The business was later renamed to Holmes Oil. He was proud of his contributions to the local business community, while also serving as the President of Oil Jobbers of Wisconsin, National Oil Jobbers Council and Petroleum Marketers of America Board of Directors. In 1991, he sold the business to Kwik Trip and began a new career as a Family Service Counselor, Knollwood Memorial Park in Manitowoc. Throughout his business career he had tremendous mentors and wonderful associates and he developed and maintained lifelong friendships from these relationships.
Bill strongly believed in being an active member of the community. As a member of the Rotary Club, he served as president, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He served various roles with Bay Lakes Council of the Boy Scouts of America and was an advisor for Boy Scout Troop 923 of Manitowoc.
Bill's deep and abiding faith guided and shape his life. He was an active member of First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc for the last 49 years. He served as a Deacon, church council president, chairman of the board of properties, and advisor for the Luther League. For his service in youth development, and in particular the scouting program, Bill received The Lamb Award from the Lutheran Church of America.
Bill's greatest joy was his wife Peg, of 65 years, and the dynamic family of five children they raised together. He deeply loved his family and delighted in the talents and achievements of his children and grandchildren.
Some of his favorite things included traveling with Peg, visiting Yellowstone National Park, supporting the Green Bay Packers, making strawberry jam with the next generation, spending time at "The Camp," and enjoying butter pecan ice cream, his grand-dogs Ebba and LuLu, stories of Stambaugh, and especially time spent with family and friends—around the dinner table.
Bill is survived by his son, John C. Holmes of Manitowoc; daughters, Cindy (Paul) Carlson, Plymouth, MN and Susan (Roger) Flessing, Springfield, MO; daughter-in-law, Peggy (Mahlik) Holmes, Deephaven, MN; grandchildren: Emily, William and Betsy Holmes (Mike); Ben, Annie and Thomas Carlson (Cindy); Sydney and Samantha Holmes (Bob); Kevin (Heather), Jeremy (Vanessa) and Jordan Flessing, great-grandchildren, Lia and Jimmy Flessing (Susan); sisters-in-law, Dorothy Zeman, Harvard, IL and Marjorie Holmes, Idaho Falls, ID; brothers-in-law, William Gargano, Holland, MI and John (Janet) Sternaman, Black River Falls, WI. Many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife, parents; sons, Michael W. Holmes, Deephaven, MN and Robert E. Holmes of Houston, TX; brothers, Leonard, Iron River, MI and Robert A., Los Angeles, CA; sister and brother-in- law, Elaine (William) Huston, Minneapolis, MN; sister, Carol Holmes Gargano, Holland, MI; three infant siblings, Gwendolyn, Lorraine, Ralph Holmes; and cousin, Marian (Joe) Bergquist Visintainer, Milwaukee, WI and brother-in-law, Edwin 'Bud' Zeman, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Norm) Brunfeldt, and nephew, Jeffrey Diffin.
Our sincere thanks to Dr. Lynn Baatz and the staff at the Holy Family Memorial Cancer Center and Holy Family Memorial Hospice for the outstanding care he received.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 9, 2021 at First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc. Private interment will follow at a later date at Stambaugh Township Cemetery.
The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at the Pfeffer Funeral Home (928 S. 14th Street), Manitowoc, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The visitation will continue Friday morning at First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc, from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in William C. Holmes' name to the charity of your choice, or to the family.
Bill was born on March 18, 1928, in Stambaugh, Michigan, the son of John H. and Ebba (Berquist) Holmes. He treasured his family, heritage, and growing up in the U.P. He was an outstanding student athlete graduating from Stambaugh High School in 1946. Bill attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA on football scholarships and received an Associate degree from North Park College in Chicago, Illinois. In 1952, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN. Following graduation, he served in the United States Army from 1952-54, where Bill was selected as a member of the Counter Intelligence Corps; he was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. In 1953, while in the service, Bill married Margaret "Peg" Sternaman of Chicago, IL.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he began working for Texas Oil, and later accepted a position with Mobil Oil. It was at Mobil that he built his career.
In 1972, Bill purchased Wingfield Oil in Manitowoc, WI. The business was later renamed to Holmes Oil. He was proud of his contributions to the local business community, while also serving as the President of Oil Jobbers of Wisconsin, National Oil Jobbers Council and Petroleum Marketers of America Board of Directors. In 1991, he sold the business to Kwik Trip and began a new career as a Family Service Counselor, Knollwood Memorial Park in Manitowoc. Throughout his business career he had tremendous mentors and wonderful associates and he developed and maintained lifelong friendships from these relationships.
Bill strongly believed in being an active member of the community. As a member of the Rotary Club, he served as president, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He served various roles with Bay Lakes Council of the Boy Scouts of America and was an advisor for Boy Scout Troop 923 of Manitowoc.
Bill's deep and abiding faith guided and shape his life. He was an active member of First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc for the last 49 years. He served as a Deacon, church council president, chairman of the board of properties, and advisor for the Luther League. For his service in youth development, and in particular the scouting program, Bill received The Lamb Award from the Lutheran Church of America.
Bill's greatest joy was his wife Peg, of 65 years, and the dynamic family of five children they raised together. He deeply loved his family and delighted in the talents and achievements of his children and grandchildren.
Some of his favorite things included traveling with Peg, visiting Yellowstone National Park, supporting the Green Bay Packers, making strawberry jam with the next generation, spending time at "The Camp," and enjoying butter pecan ice cream, his grand-dogs Ebba and LuLu, stories of Stambaugh, and especially time spent with family and friends—around the dinner table.
Bill is survived by his son, John C. Holmes of Manitowoc; daughters, Cindy (Paul) Carlson, Plymouth, MN and Susan (Roger) Flessing, Springfield, MO; daughter-in-law, Peggy (Mahlik) Holmes, Deephaven, MN; grandchildren: Emily, William and Betsy Holmes (Mike); Ben, Annie and Thomas Carlson (Cindy); Sydney and Samantha Holmes (Bob); Kevin (Heather), Jeremy (Vanessa) and Jordan Flessing, great-grandchildren, Lia and Jimmy Flessing (Susan); sisters-in-law, Dorothy Zeman, Harvard, IL and Marjorie Holmes, Idaho Falls, ID; brothers-in-law, William Gargano, Holland, MI and John (Janet) Sternaman, Black River Falls, WI. Many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife, parents; sons, Michael W. Holmes, Deephaven, MN and Robert E. Holmes of Houston, TX; brothers, Leonard, Iron River, MI and Robert A., Los Angeles, CA; sister and brother-in- law, Elaine (William) Huston, Minneapolis, MN; sister, Carol Holmes Gargano, Holland, MI; three infant siblings, Gwendolyn, Lorraine, Ralph Holmes; and cousin, Marian (Joe) Bergquist Visintainer, Milwaukee, WI and brother-in-law, Edwin 'Bud' Zeman, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Norm) Brunfeldt, and nephew, Jeffrey Diffin.
Our sincere thanks to Dr. Lynn Baatz and the staff at the Holy Family Memorial Cancer Center and Holy Family Memorial Hospice for the outstanding care he received.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 9, 2021 at First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc. Private interment will follow at a later date at Stambaugh Township Cemetery.
The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at the Pfeffer Funeral Home (928 S. 14th Street), Manitowoc, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The visitation will continue Friday morning at First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc, from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in William C. Holmes' name to the charity of your choice, or to the family.
William C. "Bill" Holmes of Manitowoc, passed away on Friday, July 2, 2021.
Bill was born on March 18, 1928, in Stambaugh, Michigan, the son of John H. and Ebba (Berquist) Holmes. He treasured his family, heritage, and growing up in the U.P. He was an outstanding student athlete graduating from Stambaugh High School in 1946. Bill attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA on football scholarships and received an Associate degree from North Park College in Chicago, Illinois. In 1952, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN. Following graduation, he served in the United States Army from 1952-54, where Bill was selected as a member of the Counter Intelligence Corps; he was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. In 1953, while in the service, Bill married Margaret "Peg" Sternaman of Chicago, IL.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he began working for Texas Oil, and later accepted a position with Mobil Oil. It was at Mobil that he built his career.
In 1972, Bill purchased Wingfield Oil in Manitowoc, WI. The business was later renamed to Holmes Oil. He was proud of his contributions to the local business community, while also serving as the President of Oil Jobbers of Wisconsin, National Oil Jobbers Council and Petroleum Marketers of America Board of Directors. In 1991, he sold the business to Kwik Trip and began a new career as a Family Service Counselor, Knollwood Memorial Park in Manitowoc. Throughout his business career he had tremendous mentors and wonderful associates and he developed and maintained lifelong friendships from these relationships.
Bill strongly believed in being an active member of the community. As a member of the Rotary Club, he served as president, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He served various roles with Bay Lakes Council of the Boy Scouts of America and was an advisor for Boy Scout Troop 923 of Manitowoc.
Bill's deep and abiding faith guided and shape his life. He was an active member of First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc for the last 49 years. He served as a Deacon, church council president, chairman of the board of properties, and advisor for the Luther League. For his service in youth development, and in particular the scouting program, Bill received The Lamb Award from the Lutheran Church of America.
Bill's greatest joy was his wife Peg, of 65 years, and the dynamic family of five children they raised together. He deeply loved his family and delighted in the talents and achievements of his children and grandchildren.
Some of his favorite things included traveling with Peg, visiting Yellowstone National Park, supporting the Green Bay Packers, making strawberry jam with the next generation, spending time at "The Camp," and enjoying butter pecan ice cream, his grand-dogs Ebba and LuLu, stories of Stambaugh, and especially time spent with family and friends—around the dinner table.
Bill is survived by his son, John C. Holmes of Manitowoc; daughters, Cindy (Paul) Carlson, Plymouth, MN and Susan (Roger) Flessing, Springfield, MO; daughter-in-law, Peggy (Mahlik) Holmes, Deephaven, MN; grandchildren: Emily, William and Betsy Holmes (Mike); Ben, Annie and Thomas Carlson (Cindy); Sydney and Samantha Holmes (Bob); Kevin (Heather), Jeremy (Vanessa) and Jordan Flessing, great-grandchildren, Lia and Jimmy Flessing (Susan); sisters-in-law, Dorothy Zeman, Harvard, IL and Marjorie Holmes, Idaho Falls, ID; brothers-in-law, William Gargano, Holland, MI and John (Janet) Sternaman, Black River Falls, WI. Many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife, parents; sons, Michael W. Holmes, Deephaven, MN and Robert E. Holmes of Houston, TX; brothers, Leonard, Iron River, MI and Robert A., Los Angeles, CA; sister and brother-in- law, Elaine (William) Huston, Minneapolis, MN; sister, Carol Holmes Gargano, Holland, MI; three infant siblings, Gwendolyn, Lorraine, Ralph Holmes; and cousin, Marian (Joe) Bergquist Visintainer, Milwaukee, WI and brother-in-law, Edwin 'Bud' Zeman, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Norm) Brunfeldt, and nephew, Jeffrey Diffin.
Our sincere thanks to Dr. Lynn Baatz and the staff at the Holy Family Memorial Cancer Center and Holy Family Memorial Hospice for the outstanding care he received.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 9, 2021 at First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc. Private interment will follow at a later date at Stambaugh Township Cemetery.
The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at the Pfeffer Funeral Home (928 S. 14th Street), Manitowoc, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The visitation will continue Friday morning at First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc, from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in William C. Holmes' name to the charity of your choice, or to the family.
Bill was born on March 18, 1928, in Stambaugh, Michigan, the son of John H. and Ebba (Berquist) Holmes. He treasured his family, heritage, and growing up in the U.P. He was an outstanding student athlete graduating from Stambaugh High School in 1946. Bill attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA on football scholarships and received an Associate degree from North Park College in Chicago, Illinois. In 1952, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN. Following graduation, he served in the United States Army from 1952-54, where Bill was selected as a member of the Counter Intelligence Corps; he was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. In 1953, while in the service, Bill married Margaret "Peg" Sternaman of Chicago, IL.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he began working for Texas Oil, and later accepted a position with Mobil Oil. It was at Mobil that he built his career.
In 1972, Bill purchased Wingfield Oil in Manitowoc, WI. The business was later renamed to Holmes Oil. He was proud of his contributions to the local business community, while also serving as the President of Oil Jobbers of Wisconsin, National Oil Jobbers Council and Petroleum Marketers of America Board of Directors. In 1991, he sold the business to Kwik Trip and began a new career as a Family Service Counselor, Knollwood Memorial Park in Manitowoc. Throughout his business career he had tremendous mentors and wonderful associates and he developed and maintained lifelong friendships from these relationships.
Bill strongly believed in being an active member of the community. As a member of the Rotary Club, he served as president, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He served various roles with Bay Lakes Council of the Boy Scouts of America and was an advisor for Boy Scout Troop 923 of Manitowoc.
Bill's deep and abiding faith guided and shape his life. He was an active member of First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc for the last 49 years. He served as a Deacon, church council president, chairman of the board of properties, and advisor for the Luther League. For his service in youth development, and in particular the scouting program, Bill received The Lamb Award from the Lutheran Church of America.
Bill's greatest joy was his wife Peg, of 65 years, and the dynamic family of five children they raised together. He deeply loved his family and delighted in the talents and achievements of his children and grandchildren.
Some of his favorite things included traveling with Peg, visiting Yellowstone National Park, supporting the Green Bay Packers, making strawberry jam with the next generation, spending time at "The Camp," and enjoying butter pecan ice cream, his grand-dogs Ebba and LuLu, stories of Stambaugh, and especially time spent with family and friends—around the dinner table.
Bill is survived by his son, John C. Holmes of Manitowoc; daughters, Cindy (Paul) Carlson, Plymouth, MN and Susan (Roger) Flessing, Springfield, MO; daughter-in-law, Peggy (Mahlik) Holmes, Deephaven, MN; grandchildren: Emily, William and Betsy Holmes (Mike); Ben, Annie and Thomas Carlson (Cindy); Sydney and Samantha Holmes (Bob); Kevin (Heather), Jeremy (Vanessa) and Jordan Flessing, great-grandchildren, Lia and Jimmy Flessing (Susan); sisters-in-law, Dorothy Zeman, Harvard, IL and Marjorie Holmes, Idaho Falls, ID; brothers-in-law, William Gargano, Holland, MI and John (Janet) Sternaman, Black River Falls, WI. Many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife, parents; sons, Michael W. Holmes, Deephaven, MN and Robert E. Holmes of Houston, TX; brothers, Leonard, Iron River, MI and Robert A., Los Angeles, CA; sister and brother-in- law, Elaine (William) Huston, Minneapolis, MN; sister, Carol Holmes Gargano, Holland, MI; three infant siblings, Gwendolyn, Lorraine, Ralph Holmes; and cousin, Marian (Joe) Bergquist Visintainer, Milwaukee, WI and brother-in-law, Edwin 'Bud' Zeman, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Norm) Brunfeldt, and nephew, Jeffrey Diffin.
Our sincere thanks to Dr. Lynn Baatz and the staff at the Holy Family Memorial Cancer Center and Holy Family Memorial Hospice for the outstanding care he received.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 9, 2021 at First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc. Private interment will follow at a later date at Stambaugh Township Cemetery.
The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at the Pfeffer Funeral Home (928 S. 14th Street), Manitowoc, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The visitation will continue Friday morning at First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc, from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in William C. Holmes' name to the charity of your choice, or to the family.
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