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BORN
1948
DIED
2019
Bill Holden Obituary
February 16, 1948 - June 30, 2019
William Paul Holden passed away at the age of 71, with a smile on his face, on June 30, 2019, at Marin General Hospital, after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer.Bill was born on February 16, 1948 in Minneapolis, MN, to Catherine and William Holden. He and his parents, and younger brother, Mark, moved to Texas and then to Orange County, CA. Bill graduated from Servite High School and started college at USD before eventually relocating to San Francisco where he lived for over 40 years. He was a dedicated postal worker for over 35 years, especially enjoying his last route on Fisherman's Wharf.
Bill suffered from active alcoholism for many years, but quit drinking in 1995 and was sober for over 24 years, gaining strength and humility from God and his active involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous. He got sober at Serenity House in San Francisco, and then became Director there for his last 15 years. Bill was a very spiritual person and read the Bible daily. He enjoyed playing golf weekly, a good cigar, and spending time with friends and family, especially his 8 grandchildren.
Bill leaves behind his brother, Mark; five children, Willy, Gus, Sarah, Elizabeth and Justine; his "lady friend" of 27 years, Ingrid, and her daughter Sarah, who also considered Bill "Dad"; daughter-in-law, Daisy; eight grandchildren, Isabelle, Andrew, Kiana, Quentin, Samantha, Laurissa, Brevan and Yannis; ex-wife and friend, Deborah Shaw; and countless friends both in and out of AA. Bill's off-color sense of humor and heart of gold will be missed by many.
A celebration of life service will be held at Serenity House, 1124 Fulton St, from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2019. In lieu of flowers, donations made to Serenity House in memory of Bill greatly appreciated.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bill Holden
charles murr
April 10, 2021
"Friend" and "Friendship" are sacrosanct to me. That said, Bill Holden is among the finest human beings I've ever known, and one of the best friends I've ever had. He was there in tumultuous times; there when the clouds dissipated; there when joy was unrestrained. For that marvelous decade of friendship, I thank God and I thank you, Bill Holden.
Joseph
March 6, 2020
Bill was a character who lived a sober life in his own unique style. He inspired many to stop drinking and lead a life of higher responsibility. May he rest in peace.
Greg Cleary
August 5, 2019
Bill had a lot of Mater Dei monarch friends as well he kept us all in stitches and would rag on us any chance he got
Shanan
August 3, 2019
I live on the other side of the serenity house. If I saw Bill out washing his car or working in the yard, I would always seize the opportunity to walk out on my deck to exchange a hello or wave. I will miss his positive energy and warm smile.
Fernando Olivares
July 15, 2019
Thoughts and prayers go out to Bill's family for their loss. Bill and I were classmates at Servite High School (Class of 1966)and shared the same homeroom Sophomore and Junior years. We played varsity football together Junior and Senior years. The entire Servite family mourns the loss of our brother Friar. RIP Bill Holden
Gilia Humrich
July 14, 2019
TRUE FRIENDSHIP TRANSCENDS TIME AND SPACE AS WE ARE ONE IN SPIRIT. HEALING AND WHOLENESS ARE THE GIFTS OF FAITH; THE FIX IS IN !
WITH ALL OUR LOVE,
JILL & JIM
Greg Cleary
July 14, 2019
He knew no bounds ! He was the most irreverent man I ever met . WeLaughed hard and long I will truly miss him as will many !
July 14, 2019
I worked with Bill at North Beach when I first became a Postman (now retired). I remember his seriousness but what I remember most is the last time I saw him. I was down at the wharf on my day off. I had moved to a different station and had not seen him in years. I saw him delivering his route and went to tell him hello. His face lit up and he gave me a great welcoming smile before we talked.
Rest In Peace Bill
Tom Ruiz
July 14, 2019
Dear Bill,
You and your loved ones are in our thoughts.
We love Will, Gus and Sarah.
Peace, Love and Walnuts,
Gail and Kevin Murphy
Eileen Doherty
July 14, 2019
May it comfort you to know That all who cared for you are surrounding you with love. Rest in peace Bill.
Gary Matthews
July 11, 2019
Met him at Disneyland, where we were both working, and we became fast friends. I NEVER met a person who was more fun than Willie Holden. (He first said, "Call me Willie." So I always did.)
We had adventures at the Colorado River, Mexico, and numerous card games in various places. But our defining time together was when we decided we had to go back to Expo '67 in Montreal, Canada. I bought a used Volks Camper, and we went up the Pacific Coast, stopping to see various folks, drove across the Trans-Canadian Highway, around the Great Lakes, to Montreal. Then along the Eastern Seaboard, down to New Orleans, and across the southern states, back home. He charmed people everywhere we went, in my fraternity houses, where they wined and dined us in many states, and in many public houses and camp grounds. We were gone for over 5 weeks, and we returned home as friends, an accomplishment, I would say. He was my Best Man in 1970, but he moved away soon after. We reconnected in 2017, and spoke every week by phone. Luckily, Andrea and I saw him in October. He was surely one of the best friends of my life. Good-bye, dear friend.
Sheila Domdoma
July 10, 2019
May you fly with the Angels
Sarah Holmsen
July 9, 2019
Be-bop and I miss you so much. I hope you're playing a good golf game in heaven. Big hug.
Liz Holden
July 9, 2019
We will forever miss you Daddy.
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