John "Bill" William Holtze

Dr. John William “Bill” Holtze, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and retired Dermatologist, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was born on July 6, 1950, in Sioux City, Iowa, to John and Julie Holtze.

In 1974, Bill met Mary Hoffmann playing water polo at the University of Iowa where Bill was in Medical School and Mary was obtaining her Undergraduate degree. The two married in 1976 in Dubuque, IA. Bill and Mary were blessed with three wonderful children, Carla, Colin, and Bill(y) and four cherished grandchildren who live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Bill spent 42 years practicing Dermatology in Des Moines, Iowa. In 2022, Bill and Mary moved to Ann Arbor to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

His passion and dedication for his work was met by his love for swimming. In college he swam on the Colorado College swim team and up until the rapid progression of his cancer, he spent his lunch breaks swimming laps at the pool. Bill was an avid reader and enjoyed delving into historical novels, journals, and a variety of academic and medical newsletters. He had an adventurous spirit and was always willing to embrace new challenges and experiences. Bill was a lifelong supporter and football season ticket holder of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Bill’s legacy is one of kindness, curiosity, brilliance and unwavering love for his family and friends. Spirituality and nature were intertwined for Bill, the latter where he turned for meditation, recreation and peace.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Mary; Carla Cell (Robert), Colin (Kate), Bill, four grandchildren Walter and Karl Holtze, Juliette and Marielle Cell; and his two younger sisters, Robin Mahan and Andrea Carlton, whom he adored.

A memorial service for Bill will be held Friday, June 7, 2024 at 2:30 PM at Barton Hills Country Club, 730 Country Club Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill's memory may be made to your favorite local charity or to the endowment that Bill created for the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. (Holtze Endowment, 505 Fifth Ave., Suite 444, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. For online donations: https://www.inhf.org/ways-to-give/donate/ - please reference the Holtze Endowment).

For donations in Ann Arbor, please consider The Huron Waterloo Pathway Initiatives Border to Border Trail (B2B Trail) at https://b2btrail.org/get-involved/donate/ and reference Bill Holtze.