Holmes, William R. (1931-2009)

HOLMES, NELSON, CARLSON, SAWVELL, JENSEN, NANCARROLL, HART

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 12/8/2009 at 14:19:45

William R. Holmes July 3, 1931 - Dec. 4, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009

William "Bill" R. Homes, age 78, of Storm Lake, died on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, at the Mercy Medical Center at Sioux City.

Funeral mass was held Monday, Dec. 7, 2009 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial was in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors by Alta VFW Post #6172. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake was in charge of the arrangements.

William Roger Holmes, the son of Alexander (Eck) and Anna (Nelson) Holmes was born in Alta, on July 3, 1931. He grew up on a farm east of Alta with three brothers: Dyle, Lyman and Robert and his two sisters: Geneva and Marjorie. While in high school, Bill participated in band, football, basketball and track. He was a 1950 graduate of the Alta High School. Bill continued his education at Buena Vista College for three years and then enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served his country in the Air Force for two and one-half years and then received a medical discharge.

While serving in Minneapolis, Bill met Donna Carlson and they were united in marriage at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minn., on Nov. 7, 1953. Following his discharge from military service, Bill and Donna returned to Alta where they spent the next 40 years farming northwest of Alta. Bill enjoyed spending time with his sons and participating in their lives. He never missed a school activity they participated in; even leaving the field to take time out to encourage them. Bill also served as a Little League baseball coach for his sons. His encouragement and support for them continued on into their adult lives.

Bill enjoyed farming and visiting with his neighbors over the fence and going into Alta and sharing coffee and conversation with his fellow farmers and friends. He enjoyed watching college and pro football and basketball games on television during his retirement years. Bill especially enjoyed attending Iowa State football and basketball games. Bill and Donna were close companions and they liked dancing, playing cards with their friends, and playing with and watching their grandchildren grow up. They had a loving, trusting, and secure marriage for 56 years.

Bill will be remembered for his friendliness, his teasing manner, sense of humor, positive attitude, and his deep and abiding Catholic faith.

Those who will always honor and cherish his memory include his wife: Donna of Storm Lake; his children: Michael and Valerie Holmes of Brandon, S.D., and their children: Cameron, Andrew, Elizabeth and Carter; David Holmes of Storm Lake, and his son: Jeff Sawvell; his brother, Robert Holmes of Alta; his sister-in-law, Phyllis Jensen of Iowa City; nieces, nephews, extended family and his many friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and sister-in-law: Dyle and Margaret Holmes and Lyman Holmes; two sisters and brothers-in-law: Geneva and Albert Nancarroll and Marjorie and Tom Hart; and a sister-in-law: Helen Holmes.

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