His children announce the passing of William E. (Bill) Holzer, born in the St. Magdalene community near New Marion on January 24, 1930 the son of Clem and Josephine Kieffer Holzer. He passed away June 23rd in Yuma, Arizona after a lengthy and brave battle with cancer.
Bill is preceded in death by wives Lois (Kelley) Holzer and Betty (Stickelman) Holzer. He’s survived by his children: Terry Guernsey & Karen Lally, Jerry & Carolyn Guernsey, William Anthony (Tony) & Candy Holzer, Robert & Peggy Holzer, Donna Holzer Durbin & Steve Durbin, David & Donna Holzer and Steve Holzer, as well as Betty’s daughters Patricia Morrow and Johnetta Huesman. His surviving siblings are sister Mary (Holzer) Roll and brother William Anthony (Tony) Holzer. Additionally, he is survived by a total of 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Bill served proudly in the Korean War. He was a civilian gunner for the United States Army at Jefferson Proving Ground in Madison, Indiana, before transferring to Yuma Proving Ground at Yuma, Arizona in December 1972. He worked there until his retirement in 1990. Bill was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. He attended both St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and later, St. John Neumann Parish in the Foothills.
According to his wishes, on Saturday, June 30 there will be a viewing at Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles beginning at 9am followed by Rosary services at 10:20am. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday at 11am at St. John’s Catholic Church in Osgood. Bill will be cremated and his remains buried beside his wife, Lois. Friends are welcome to join his family in a graveside service at Saint Magdalene Catholic Cemetery in Madison on Tuesday, July 3rd at 10am. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Versailles American Legion. In lieu of flowers, his children ask that donations be made in his name to the American Cancer Society or the St. Magdalene Cemetery in care of the funeral home.