William HOLCOMB Jr.

HOLCOMB, William Jr.


William (Bill) Holcomb, Jr., 75, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, entered into life eternal peacefully on June 11, 2013 surrounded by the love of his family. The oldest son of William and Katherine (Koch) Holcomb, he was born in New Britain, on January 15, 1938 and lived in Plainville for most of his life. He shared 31 wonderful years of marriage with Valerie Holcomb. A veteran, Bill proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Iceland as well as Michigan. He inherited Holcomb Tree Service from his father, which he owned and operated for more than 45 years before passing the business, Holcomb Tree, Inc., on to his sons who continue the family tradition in Plainville. Two of his sons began their own endeavors as arborists - Bill Holcomb III owns and operates Holcomb Arboricultural Services out of Southington, and David Holcomb owns and operates Dave Holcomb Tree out of New Hartford. Bill loved his work and the outdoors. He enjoyed exploring the back roads, mountains, streams, and parks of this country in his pick-up truck or on his motorcycle. He touched many lives and was loved by all. He could always be counted on to help a friend, no matter how big or small the job. He will be missed by many and leaves behind his loving wife, Valerie; five sons, William (Bill) Holcomb III and his wife Debbie of Southington, Dave Holcomb and his wife Kelly of New Hartford, Michael Holcomb of Bristol, Tim Holcomb of Plainville, Jim Holcomb and his wife Jackie of Bristol; and one daughter, Sue Hincks and her husband Andy of New Hartford. He also leaves 14 grandchildren - Steve, Caroline, and Tyreck Hincks; and Mikayla, William (Will) IV, Paul, Scott, Robert, Matthew, Juliana, Morgan, Shamus, Jacob, and Victoria Holcomb; one great-grandson Paul Holcomb, Jr. and Paul's mother Melissa. The oldest of seven children he leaves behind his five sisters - Kathy DiBenedetto and her husband Tito of Middletown, Tricia Rice and her husband Dewey of Oregon, Mary Vachon of Rocky Hill, Betty Balchazard and her husband Roy of Massachusetts, and Laurie Holcomb of Plainville; he was predeceased by his brother, Plainville police officer Robert Holcomb who was killed in the line of duty in 1977. Bill was dedicated to his family and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Robert M. Holcomb Scholarship Fund. c/o Plainville Police Association, PO Box 375, Plainville, CT 06062.
Family and friends may pay their respects on Friday, June 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home, 48 Broad Street, Plainville, CT. A memorial service to celebrate Bill's life will be held on Saturday, June 15 at 11 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church 355 Camp Street, Forestville, CT followed by a reception in the Church Hall. Interment will be in the Gloria Dei Memorial Garden at a later date. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit Bill's tribute page at www.Bailey-FuneralHome.com.