William S. Holden

William S. (Bill) Holden 1953-2009 William S. (Bill) Holden, 55, of Portland, Ore. passed away Friday June 5, 2009 after a brief but courageous battle with lung cancer. He died in one of his favorite spots in Ore., Cannon Beach with his sister, Jane, and his caregiver Jim by his side. Memorial services will be held on Saturday June 13, 2009 at 4 p.m. at the Metropolitan Community Church, 2400 NE Broadway Portland, Ore., under the direction of Mount Scott Funeral Chapel. Bill was born July 9, 1953 in Caldwell, Idaho to Beth and Bernie Holden. He was reared and educated in Caldwell, Idaho with his brother John and sister Jane. At the age of five he could play the piano by ear just by listening to his sister's piano practice. At age 7 he began his music instruction and the lifetime passion of music and piano was born. He graduated from Caldwell High school in 1971 where he was very involved during his junior and senior high school years, as a Concert Choir member, Madrigal singer, and piano accompanist for his high school choral groups. One of Bill's most accomplished moments of his music participation was when he was selected for All-State choir in 1970, All-Northwest Choir in 1971. After High school graduation Bill was accepted to the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. He pledged Theta Chi and continued his passion for music. He was chosen as a freshman member of the Vandaleer Concert Choir, the premier choral group at the University of Idaho. Bill graduated in 1975 with a B.A. in Music Education. Upon graduation Bill was hired at Emmet High School, in Emmett, Idaho as a Choral music teacher sharing his passion and love of music with his student. He had two years at Emmet High School then pursued his second career working for The State of Idaho Retirement Department in Boise, Idaho moving to the Portland area in 1987 working for Multnomah Native Fish Commission in Portland, Ore., and ended his career at Hollywood Video/Movie Gallery corporate offices in Wilsonville, Ore., in the accounting field. Bill was a very dedicated and loyal employee and worked up until one week prior to his death. Bill loved the Oregon Coast, McCall, Idaho at the lake and was a fanatic Oregon Duck Fan. Go Ducks! Go Bill! Survivors include his sister Jane Van Auker (Ron) of Eagle, Idaho; His Aunt Ellomae DeMond of Spokane, Wash; His Sister in Law Rita Holden of Columbus, N.M. Four nieces Cora Walker (Bill) of Goshen, NY, Stephanie Nicolas (John) of Boise, Idaho, Jennifer Rearick (Richard) of Eagle River, AK, Dawn Holden-Smith (Brad) of Boise, Idaho; One nephew Ron Van Auker Jr. (Amy) of Nampa, Idaho. Three Great Nieces, Five Great Nephews, Many Cousins and Adored Friends in AA and at Hollywood Video. Bill was preceded in death by his brother John in 1978, Father Bernie in 1981, Brother Bo in 1994, and his mother Beth in 2008. The family wishes to express appreciation to Senior Helpers in Portland, OR Providence Hospice in Portland, Ore, and Lower Columbia Hospice in Astoria, Ore. Memorials may be made to the Idaho Botanical Garden P.O. Box 2140 Boise, ID 83701, University of Idaho Vandaleers c/o University of Idaho Foundation Gift Administration Office, P.O. Box 44147, Moscow, Idaho, 83844-3147, Caldwell High School, Madrigal Choral Music Department, c/o CFEO Chuck Randolph, 1803 Ellis, Caldwell, ID 83605, Providence Hospice, 6410 NE Halsey ST, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213 or a charity of your choice. Memories and condolences may be shared with Bill's family in his online guestbook at www.dakanfuneralchapel.com