William Elmer Holmes

Bill was born to Elmer Holmes and Lucille Smith on May 11, 1933, in Albion where he grew up and spent his entire life. He married his high school sweetheart Norine Adams in 1951, and they built their lives and family together in Albion. He leaves as his legacy four beloved children: Doug Holmes, Steve Holmes, Julie Britt, and Vicki Holmes Ott. He also leaves to cherish his memory six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren that always brightened his day. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 44 years; and his two sisters, Marjorie Lawyer and Eleanore Jean Lewis.

Bill worked for Ashley Dairy as a milkman and then Decker Manufacturing as a foreman, until he retired in 1996. He loved watching the Detroit Tigers and old Westerns, and enjoyed bowling, going to the horse races, and collecting coins.

A celebration of Bill’s life is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10 at 11:00 a.m. at J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home at 811 Finley Dr, Albion, MI 49224. Burial will follow across the street at Albion Memory Gardens. Afterward, the family invites you to join them at Cascarelli’s of Albion for a reception following the service. The family will greet friends for visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 9 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society. The family would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and staff at Ascension Borgess Hospital for their work comforting Bill in his final days.