Life Story / Obituary
William “Bill” Holland passed away on September 25, 2017 at the age of 95 in the presence of family at Vista Springs in Holland, Michigan.
Born April 11, 1922, Bill was raised in the Detroit area. As a young man, Bill had a passion for sales starting with selling ice cream bars to the WPA. Later he sold cemetery plots which led to his life long career in the cemetery industry. He developed and owned several cemeteries throughout Michigan, including Restlawn Memorial Gardens of Holland. He started Holland Supply, Inc. a cemetery supply company in 1964. Bill enjoyed traveling from Michigan to Florida visiting customers who then became life long friends.
He truly loved his family and relished spending time with them. During retirement years, Bill enjoyed the time he and Shirley spent in Sebring, Florida; playing golf, dining out and entertaining friends and family who came to visit. One of Bill’s favorite pastimes was sitting on his porch enjoying nature and all its beauty. Bill was known by many as an eternal optimist, still hoping to improve his golf game at the young age of 90. Bill will be remembered for his kind heart, beautiful big brown eyes, and infectious smile.
Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shirley; children Nancy Szabo, Denise and Fred Lamb, Lisa and Randy DeWilde and Patrice Holland and many grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sons Billy, Thomas and Donald.
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the staff of Vista Springs and Hospice of Holland for the love and care they provided to Bill and his family.
A private family funeral service will be held at Restlawn Memorial Gardens of Holland MI.