William M. "Bill" Holt

1930 - 2022

William M. "Bill" Holt

5/12/1930-2/21/2022

"The Lord blessed him with colorful times, millions of miles, a great wife, a beautiful part of the mountain world to perform in, a salty sense of humor, an eye for art and livestock, and lots of years to do it. Not bad -- not bad at all." Darol

William M. "Bill" Holt, 91 passed away peacefully at home in Lolo MT of natural causes the morning of February 21, 2022. Bill and wife, Ramona, could be seen almost daily up until a month ago at their favorite haunts – Paradise Falls in Missoula and Glen's Café in Florence. The past month, Bill welcomed family and friends to daily visits and reminiscences. Thank you to the many care and hospice workers who tended to his needs and enabled him to spend his last days at home.

Internment will take place at Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery at 1911 Tower Street.

Date: Friday May 13

Time: Noon

Memorial gathering at Holt Heritage Museum in Lolo at 6800 Hwy 12.

Date: Friday May 13

Time: 1:30pm

William M. "Bill" Holt, son of Helen Mettler, was born May 12, 1930, in Great Falls. His early childhood was spent in the St. Thomas Orphan Home. At about school age he was placed with the Owen and Elsie Holt Family in Great Falls. Upon graduation from high school, he joined the Marines and served in the San Diego area on the equestrian team. After mustering out, he attended Montana State University, in Bozeman (then Montana State College) and received his BS in Animal Science. This is where he met his bride to be, Ramona, and they embarked on 67 years of married life together.

As a member of the Rodeo Team at Montana State University, he competed at the first College Rodeo Finals at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. This began a 40+ year career of announcing Professional Rodeos, Horse Shows, Horse Racing, and Auctioneering. He and Ramona traveled to perform their services throughout the Northwest and Canada. In 1967 he announced the Equestrian Division of the Pan American Games in Canada, and for over 30 years announced and produced the Oral Zumwalt Memorial Rodeo held up Miller Creek in Missoula. Later, Bill could be seen donating his time auctioneering at fundraising events raising millions of dollars for charity. He loved the people he worked with and the challenge of each performance. Many of the people they met at different venues remained lifelong friends.

Bill and Ramona, the power couple and serial entrepreneurs, were involved in numerous endeavors over the years. Highlights include:

• First to export Longhorn Cattle to Australia

• The Longhorn Supper Club in Lolo (now site of Lolo Creek Steakhouse)

• Wapiti Resort in Seeley Lake

• Timber Heritage Foundation

• Travelers' Rest State Park

• Holt Heritage Museum.

Organizations that he loved and supported included: Montana FFA, Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame, Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame, Western Montana Fair, Montana Historical Society, Boy Scouts of America, Masonic Lodge, Shriners, American Legion, Southside Lions and Western Montana Military Officers Association.

It was not unusual to see Bill walking the trail along the road at Lolo, the soccer fields or Southgate Mall in Missoula. The highlight of his walk would be visiting with whoever he saw or watching the children and dogs.

He viewed his family as his greatest achievement and was proud of their accomplishments.

Bill is survived by his wife Ramona, Lolo; sons Bret (Lou Ann) Holt, Lolo; Roger Holt, Huntley; Bart Holt, Missoula; Patrick Holt, Australia. Grandson; Michael (Jessica) Zander; Great Grandchildren Alex and Karlee Zander, Soda Springs, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, folks may donate to:

Travelers' Rest Connection

PO Box 995

Lolo MT 59847

info@travelersrest.org