William Creighton Holly, age 82, died Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO after a brief illness. He was born June 2, 1941, in Hope Arkansas, and was primarily raised in Arkansas. He graduated from Stuttgart High School, Stuttgart, Arkansas, in 1959, where he was a member of the varsity football and track teams.
Bill immigrated from Arkansas to Denver, Colorado, during his senior year of college after attending the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas. His major was pre-medical. However, in Denver he continued his education on a part time basis through the University of Colorado, altering his major to that of Business/Finance. Additionally, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. During his residence in Denver, he was employed by Community Finance Corp., Colorado State Bank, and Metropolitan National Bank
In 1966, he met and married Elizabeth Ann Mueller of Cape Girardeau. The couple had two sons, Michael Creighton Holly, 1967, and William Christopher Holly, 1971, and the family re-located to live in Cape Girardeau in 1973. A divorce ensued late in 1974, and Bill was married and divorced thereafter. Finally, resolving to remain single for the remainder of time.
Bill had continued his education at Southeast Missouri State University on a part-time basis, culminating in his receiving two baccalaureate degrees with emphasis in finance and management majors.
After his arrival in Cape Girardeau Bill was employed by Jackson Savings and Loan,
Ryder Trucking, and Jerry Lipps Trucking, and from 1982, Bill was associated with the construction union movement as a founding member (card #4) of Craftsman Independent Union, Local One, where he served as the Recording Secretary of the Local for 24 years. He was also a founding member and Second Vice President of Craftsman International Union, the parent organization of the local union. He served as the Vice President of Midtown Family Medical Center of union affiliation, and additionally for a seven year period, while affiliated with the union, Bill held the position of Manager of Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc. of Cape Girardeau.
Bill spent many hours serving with various community organizations prior to his retirement in 2006. Also in that year, he retired with 22 1/2 years of duty in the U. S. Naval Reserve with the rank of SK-1.
Survivors include two sons, Michael (Kim) Holly of Rogers, AR, William Christopher (Kristie) Holly of Perryville, MO; five grandchildren, Madalyn Robinson of Rogers, AR, Myles (Juliette) Robinson of Rogers, AR, Madison Robinson of San Diego, CA, Kai Holly of Point Lookout, MO, Erin Holly of Perryville, MO; great-granddaughter, Juniper Robinson; sister, Carolyn (Bob) Pace of Twinsburg, OH; longtime companion, Gloria Cora.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Z. and Bobbie Holly, brother, Henry Z Holly, Jr.
Visitation will be 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm on Sunday, February 25, 2024 at Ford & Son Mt. Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau, MO.
Funeral Service will be at 2:00 pm Sunday, February 25, 2024 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau with the Brother Jim Matthews officiating.
Private Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Hope, Arkansas.
We also invite you to express your public condolences at www.herndonfuquafuneralhomes.com or private Letters of Love at www.herndonfuquafuneralhomes.com/page/letters-of-love.