William ‘Bill’ Holmes

Bill was born on June 3, 1955 to the late Rosemarie (Golubski) and Ralph Holmes of Superior, Wisconsin. Bill graduated Escanaba High School in 1973 and pursued a degree in pharmacology. He married Marilyn Ogren of Bark River, Mich. while attending Ferris State University. Together they had one daughter, Sarah Lynn (Holmes) Mogen.

After graduating from Ferris State University in 1978, he began his practice in Escanaba, Mich., where he met and married Carol (Billings) Julian of Escanaba, Mich. Together they share children: Jason (Shawna) Holmes of Washburn, Wis., Kimberly (Holmes) Hollen of Ashland, Wis., Justin (Emily) Holmes of Nixa, MO, and Kristin Holmes of Merrill, Wis.

Bill was known for his love of the outdoors. Throughout his life he shared his excitement for hunting, fishing, boating and gardening with his family and friends. He had a special place in his heart for the Great Lakes, especially Lake Superior.

Later in his life, he could often be found watching the ships coming and going from Barker’s Island. He was generous with his time, volunteering at soup kitchens and sharing his garden-canned bounty with many. Bill was a well-respected pharmacist and a wealth of knowledge. He never passed up an opportunity to go above and beyond for co-workers or patients in need. He worked at OSF Hospital in Escanaba, Mich. for several years. In 1990, he moved to begin work as a pharmacist at Dickinson County Hospital in Iron Mountain, Mich. He would go on to work in that community for 25 years before retiring in the Iron Mountain/Kingsford area.

Upon his retirement, he returned to Superior, Wis. to be near the beloved family cabin, many close friends and his favorite lakes; Ruth Lake and Lake Superior.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Sarah and several aunts and uncles. He is survived by his siblings: David of Iron Mountain, Mich., Steven of Escanaba, Mich., Suzanne (Chuck) Douglass of Navarre, Fla. and Michael of Melbourne Beach, Fla. Bill had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren: Lily Mogen, Eden, Isaiah, Annika and Henry Holmes. In addition to his siblings, children and grandchildren, he leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and precious loved ones.

A service to honor Bill’s life will be held at Maranatha Assembly of God, 920 S. Carpenter Ave. Kingsford, Mich. on December 9 at 10 a.m. A private reception for family with directions to follow. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Holmes family. To offer an online message of sympathy please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.