Roy Walter Holsten Jr.

Roy Walter Holsten Jr., 59, of Williamsburg, VA died at his home on May 12th after a two year battle with cancer. He did not go “gentle into that good night” and with the help of his wife, Sandy, fought his illness with his characteristic intelligence, humor and determination.
He was born in Greensboro, NC on January 24, 1951 to the late Roy Walter Sr. and Elizabeth “Liddybet” Myatt Holsten, but raised in Chapel Hill, NC, where he was a uniquely talented and gifted individual who excelled in academics. He attended Chapel Hill schools, Deerfield Academy and graduated with honors from William & Mary.
Roy possessed extraordinary acumen, was an award winning poet, writer, musician and raconteur, sharing the same passion, curiosity and wanderlust of many 20th century bohemians, always seeking new experiences in his exploration of the human spirit. This quote from Jack Kerouac speaks to Roy’s love of life: “I hope it is true that a man can die and yet not only live in others but give them life and not only life, but that great consciousness of life.”
Roy traveled and worked for many years, examining life around him while delving deeply into his own psyche and even served honorably in the United States Navy, which changed his life immeasurably. For the last 18 years, he worked for Colonial Williamsburg, primarily at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and the Rockefeller Folk Art Museum. He loved animals and nature, especially the oceans and dreamed of sailing them one day in a boat he would build.
There will be a remembrance of Roy’s life in Yorktown, VA on June 6th, 2010 and later his ashes will be scattered in the ocean at Pawleys Island, SC, where he spent many happy years with his family.
Roy is survived by his wife, Sandra Piper Holsten, Williamsburg, VA; his mother, Elizabeth Myatt Holsten, Chapel Hill, NC; brothers, Robert Bruce Holsten, Wilmington, NC and Kelly Travis Holsten, Wrightsville Beach, NC; nephew R. M. Alexander Holsten, Asheville, NC and niece Charlotte E. M. Holsten, Durban, South Africa; and by his beloved pets.
Donations made be made in Roy’s honor to the American Institute for Cancer Research, 1759 R Street, NW Washington, DC 20009.