William "Bill" Holcomb Jr.

William (Bill) Holcomb, Jr., 75, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, entered into life eternal peacefully on June 11, 2013, surrounded by the love of his family.

The oldest son of William and Katherine (Koch) Holcomb, he was born in New Britain, on Jan. 15, 1938, and lived in Plainville for most of his life. He shared 31 wonderful years of marriage with Valerie Holcomb. A veteran, Bill proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Iceland as well as Michigan. He inherited Holcomb Tree Service from his father, which he owned and operated for more than 45 years before passing the business, Holcomb Tree, Inc., on to his sons who continue the family tradition in Plainville. Two of his sons began their own endeavors as arborists – Bill Holcomb III owns and operates Holcomb Arboricultural Services out of Southington, and David Holcomb owns and operates Dave Holcomb Tree out of New Hartford. Bill loved his work and the outdoors. He enjoyed exploring the back roads, mountains, streams, and parks of this country in his pick-up truck or on his motorcycle. He touched many lives and was loved by all. He could always be counted on to help a friend, no matter how big or small the job.

He will be missed by many and leaves behind his loving wife, Valerie; five sons, William (Bill) Holcomb III and his wife, Debbie, of Southington, Dave Holcomb and his wife, Kelly, of New Hartford, Michael Holcomb, of Bristol, Tim Holcomb, of Plainville, Jim Holcomb and his wife, Jackie, of Bristol; and one daughter, Sue Hincks and her husband, Andy, of New Hartford. He also leaves 14 grandchildren, Steve, Caroline, and Tyreck Hincks and Mikayla, William (Will) IV, Paul, Scott, Robert, Matthew, Juliana, Morgan, Shamus, Jacob, and Victoria Holcomb; one great-grandson, Paul Holcomb, Jr. and Paul's mother, Melissa. The oldest of seven children he leaves behind his five sisters, Kathy DiBenedetto and her husband, Tito, of Middletown, Tricia Rice and her husband, Dewey, of Oregon, Mary Vachon, of Rocky Hill, Betty Balchazard and her husband, Roy, of Massachusetts, and Laurie Holcomb, of Plainville; he was predeceased by his brother, Plainville police officer Robert Holcomb who was killed in the line of duty in 1977. Bill was dedicated to his family and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Robert M. Holcomb Scholarship Fund, c/o Plainville Police Association, P.O. Box 375, Plainville, CT 06062. Family and friends gathered June 14, at Bailey Funeral Home, 48 Broad St., Plainville. A memorial service to celebrate Bill's life was held June 15 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church 355 Camp St., Forestville, followed by a reception in the Church Hall. Interment was in the Gloria Dei Memorial Garden at a later date. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit Bill's tribute page at www.Bailey-FuneralHome.com