William Joseph Holzer, a 54-year resident of Lathrop, passed away from acute respiratory distress syndrome June 23, at Doctors Hospital in Manteca. He was 80. He was a devoted family man and friend.
He was predeceased by his parents, Evelyn A. and Leo J. Holzer of Waterford, where William (Bill) spent his youth.
After graduating from Oakdale High School, Bill joined the U.S. military in 1956, leaving his parents and two sisters in Waterford. Survivors include those younger siblings, Drena Norton of Hughson and Carleen Bubenik of Sanger.
After basic training, Bill was stationed at Suffolk County Air Force Base at Westhampton Beach, Long Island, NY. He met Bonnie Joyce Mercer from nearby Eastport. They were married Jan. 23, 1960 at the base. She survives her husband of 59 years and 5 months.
William finished his military service at the Air Reserves Records Center in Denver, CO. In total, he served six years as an communications center specialist and teletype operator. After his honorable discharge, the newlyweds traveled to Waterford and Bill worked several short-term jobs until he was hired in 1965 by Libby Owens Ford in Lathrop. He purchased a new house and moved to the small town. He worked in quality control at LOF for more than 35 years and took overtime whenever it was available.
The couple had four sons and Bill chaperoned several Boy Scout events, and umpired dozens of Lathrop Little League baseball games. His hobbies included playing card games, bowling, motorcycles and watching movies.
Survivors include his sons and their wives, Leo N. and Susan of Vallejo, Jason C. and Traci, Bret and Leah, and Bart and Michelle, all of Lathrop. Bill was also “Grumpa” to his 11 grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them.
A luncheon and celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at the American Legion McFall Grisham Post, 220 E. Yosemite Ave., Manteca. A proud veteran and NRA member, attendees are encouraged to wear patriotic colors.
William supported several military-related groups and children’s charities. The family asks that donations be made in his name to San Joaquin County’s Mary Graham Children’s Foundation by calling (209) 468-7635, or Manteca’s Cpl. Charles O. Palmer II Memorial Troop Support Program by visiting www.cplpalmertroopsupport.com and clicking the donate tab.
Lathrop
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
He was predeceased by his parents, Evelyn A. and Leo J. Holzer of Waterford, where William (Bill) spent his youth.
After graduating from Oakdale High School, Bill joined the U.S. military in 1956, leaving his parents and two sisters in Waterford. Survivors include those younger siblings, Drena Norton of Hughson and Carleen Bubenik of Sanger.
After basic training, Bill was stationed at Suffolk County Air Force Base at Westhampton Beach, Long Island, NY. He met Bonnie Joyce Mercer from nearby Eastport. They were married Jan. 23, 1960 at the base. She survives her husband of 59 years and 5 months.
William finished his military service at the Air Reserves Records Center in Denver, CO. In total, he served six years as an communications center specialist and teletype operator. After his honorable discharge, the newlyweds traveled to Waterford and Bill worked several short-term jobs until he was hired in 1965 by Libby Owens Ford in Lathrop. He purchased a new house and moved to the small town. He worked in quality control at LOF for more than 35 years and took overtime whenever it was available.
The couple had four sons and Bill chaperoned several Boy Scout events, and umpired dozens of Lathrop Little League baseball games. His hobbies included playing card games, bowling, motorcycles and watching movies.
Survivors include his sons and their wives, Leo N. and Susan of Vallejo, Jason C. and Traci, Bret and Leah, and Bart and Michelle, all of Lathrop. Bill was also “Grumpa” to his 11 grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them.
A luncheon and celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at the American Legion McFall Grisham Post, 220 E. Yosemite Ave., Manteca. A proud veteran and NRA member, attendees are encouraged to wear patriotic colors.
William supported several military-related groups and children’s charities. The family asks that donations be made in his name to San Joaquin County’s Mary Graham Children’s Foundation by calling (209) 468-7635, or Manteca’s Cpl. Charles O. Palmer II Memorial Troop Support Program by visiting www.cplpalmertroopsupport.com and clicking the donate tab.
Lathrop
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Monday, July 1, 2019
