William Lee Holbrook Jr. 1923 - 2021 Casper, Wyoming - etc. - Bakersville, California

WILLIAM LEE HOLBROOK, JR

October 25, 1923 October 8, 2021

Our Dad passed away Friday night, October 8, after contracting Covid19 ten days earlier. His passing was sudden and unexpected. But we, his children, know that he was ready to go home to his Lord and reunite with our Mom, Doris Pinky Holbrook, to whom he was married for sixty-five years. Dad was also preceded in death by his grandson, Nicholas Torchia, his parents, and so many wonderful friends. He used to say that he and mom were so old that their many departed friends already in heaven must think he and mom never made it there.

Dad was born in Casper, Wyoming, and raised in Cody, Wyoming, where he met our mom and graduated from Cody High School. Dad and Mom reunited with classmates from Cody HS every summer for almost seventy years until Dad became the last surviving classmate. Even then, Dad loved to return to his hometown to watch the 4th of July rodeo and parade and have a cold drink at the iconic Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel with family.

After high school, Dad served as an amphibious vehicle driver in the Pacific Ocean Theater during World War II. A few years ago, Dad was flown to Washington DC on an Honor Flight, where he was ceremoniously honored for his service.

Dad married mom in 1949 and became a bit salesman for Hughes Tool Company. That job took our growing family to Williston, ND, Glendive, MT, Casper, WY, and then to Bakersfield, CA. By the time the family moved to CA there were eight kids following behind.

A frugal but giving man, Dad put a pool in for the kids after moving to our new house in Bakersfield, where we all enjoyed many wonderful, fun-filled days. Dad was an avid golfer and taught all the kids to play. The Holbrook family celebrated the game and each other during our yearly Holbrook Memorial Golf Tournament, which took place all over the USA for nearly forty years. Dad was also a scout leader for his sons, a fine whittler, and an amazing bowler, playing on many different teams and one year bringing home a trophy for Bowler of the Year that was taller than his youngest son.

Dad and Mom were members of St Francis Church and then became one of the initial families to join St Philip's Church, where Mass was held in the West High cafeteria until the official church was built. Always a dedicated member of the congregation, Dad helped count collections and was a Knight with Knights of Columbus. He also donated his time to the Gleaners and many other charitable organizations through the years.

Dad was interested in so many varied activities. He was a longtime member of the Elks and enjoyed API events. He and Mom loved playing bridge in several groups. Whatever Bill and Pinky were doing, their friends and family knew it involved fun, whether it was dressing up for Halloween, serving Tom & Jerry's at the holidays, or cutting a mean rug on the dance floor. After the kids were grown Dad and Mom became enthusiastic and seasoned RVers with the Roving Elks and traveled with that group and other good friends all over the country and into Canada. They also enjoyed an extended tour through Europe and the UK in their later years, where they were excited to discover their coat of arms.

After his stint with Hughes Tool, Dad worked for Tosco Refinery as a buyer, and for M*N Valve, then delivered for Bakersfield Blueprint and Copy until his early 80s. In the last few years he so enjoyed monthly lunches with his SIRs group and all the men who attended. He also greatly appreciated monthly breakfasts with fellow veterans at the American Legion. Dad was never one to be idle; in his free time he enjoyed reading and tinkering and always looked forward to excursions with friends and family to play the slots. He was known for being extremely lucky!

Dad leaves behind all eight of his children, five of their spouses, and many, many adoring grand and great-grand kids. We will all remember his wittiness, understated timing, and wonderful ability to tell a story or a joke on any subject. In his older years he liked to say he had CRS (can't remember stuff), but he never forgot a good story or how to make us laugh.

Funeral Mass will be Monday, October 25, on his 98th birthday, at St Elizabeth Ann Seton's Church at 10am, reception to follow at Salty's Banquet and Event Center. A private inurnment will be at Bakersfield National Cemetery later in the day.

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Published by Bakersfield Californian on Oct. 17, 2021.