William "Bill" Holbrook

William H (Bill) Holbrook of Jeffersonville was called to his heavenly home on December 2nd, 2024. Bill was 90 years and 3 months old.
Born in Relief, Kentucky, on September 2nd 1934 at home, he was the second son to Ernest and Zella (Kelly) Holbrook. He graduated from Flat Gap high school as president of the class of 1953.
After graduation he attended Morehead teachers college for one semester before his money ran out. He joined the marines and spent 2 years at Guantanamo bay, Cuba where he was the driver for Admiral W. G. Cooper. He was honorably discharged in 1957. With money saved from his service and the GI Bill, he was able to return to Morehead and complete his bachelor's degree.
It was at Morehead that he met the love of his life and future wife, Ruth Eleanor (Smith). They married on July 27th, 1960 and on March 9, 1963, their only child, Jo Ellen (now Blankenbeker) was born in Ashland, Kentucky, Ruth's hometown. Bill later got his masters from Morehead and his plus 30 from Indiana university SE.
Initially teaching in Ohio and Kentucky, including night school classes at the Dummit Federal Correctional Facility, he found his forever hometown in 1968 when he and Ruth began teaching in the Greater Clark County school system. Bill started as a history and government teacher at New Washington high school, then spent most of the 70's as assistant principal at Parkview Jr. high before ending his career and retiring in 1991 as principal at New Washington Elementary School.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Zella, his wife of 48 years, Ruth and his older brother Wilbur.
He is survived by his daughter, Jo Ellen (David) Blankenbeker, his grandchildren Zachary (Bailie) Blankenbeker, Amelia (Thomas) Beimrohr, one great granddaughter, Bettie Frances (Francie) Blankenbeker and his caregiver Nicole Elbert.
Visitation will be held Thursday, December 5, 2024 at Legacy Funeral Center, 921 Main Street, Jeffersonville, Indiana from 5-7pm. Funeral will be on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 11am with more visitation before from 9-11am at Legacy Funeral Center.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation St. Luke's United Church of Christ in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
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