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| Willard Wayne Holderby January 1, 1920 May 23, 2008 |
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| Comments from friends and relatives May this tribute bring comforting words and pleasant memories during this difficult time. It has been an honor serving your family. Lanman Funeral Home Staff Name = Linda Stratton E-mail = lsrs50@aol.com Phone Number = 2538481425 Memorial Name = Williard Holderby Comments = Steve and Mary, So sorry to hear of your father's passing. I pray that God will comfort you in this time. Love, Linda Ritter Stratton Name = Neil E-mail = neilerogers@aol.com Phone Number = 5805418261 Memorial Name = Williard Holderby Comments = From the H. L. & Louvisa Elliott family to yours, we offer sympathy and pray for comfort and hope that we shall met again in heaven. Name = Bobbie Jacobson E-mail = bobbiej99@yahoo.com Memorial Name = Williard Holderby Comments = Marj I am so sorry about Willard. I remember the times that I have talked to him and enjoyed very much. You are in my prayers God bless. Bobbie Name = Edward Moore E-mail = EdwardMoore4154@sbcglobal.net Memorial Name = Williard Holderby Comments = Kay, Jill, Steve and Marj: As you would guess I have hundreds of fond memories of Willard, the Ford days and the John Deere days. One common thread was found in all of these and that is one of friendship. If Willard was your friend, he was your friend thru thick and thin, good times and bad. My thoughts are with you. Name = Darla Ritter E-mail = glasshouse_dreamin@sbcglobal.net Phone Number = 405-649-2337 Memorial Name = Williard Holderby Comments = Jeremy, Wendy, Dominick, Abigail and Jonathan Resler: We are sorry to hear of the loss of you grandfather/great-grandfather.Not knowing him, but reading his obit., he was a great man, who accomplished many things in his lifetime. Sincerely, Steve and Darla Ritter Mulhall, OK Name = Stephen Jones E-mail = sjones@stephenjoneslaw.com Phone Number = 580-242-5502 Memorial Name = Williard Holderby Comments = A leader in Cherokee and NW Oklahoma with a wonderful reputation as a businessman. We became friends as a result of his being a jury foreman in a case I tried. He was very gracious to me during the difficult time of the McVeigh representation. Name = Col. James L. Pattillo, USAF, Ret. E-mail = jlpattillo@cox.net Phone Number = (805) 969-2796 Memorial Name = Williard Holderby Comments = We,his Squadron mates, salute Willard Holderby, a Lead Crew Navigator, 793rd Bomb Sq., 468th Bomb Group--"The Gen. Billy Mitchell Group"--XXth Bomber Command (Kharagpur, India & Pengshan, China). Willard was a great American who willingly did his duty when the chips were down. Name = Al Schutte E-mail = aschutte@cinci.rr.com Phone Number = 513-503-7352 Memorial Name = Williard Holderby Comments = Sincere condolences from the 58th Bomb Wing Association |
| born to Joseph Otto and Edith Smith Holderby. He graduated from Byron High School in 1937 as Valedictorian. He later attended Oklahoma A&M College, where he obtained a Business Administration degree in 1941. He was a member of Blue Key, Student Senate, Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges, and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Upon graduation, Holderby took a job with Standard Oil in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but was soon called to active duty, just a few months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He went through infantry training in Fort Benning, Georgia, which was commanded at that time by Major General George S. Patton, Jr., and was in the infantry for eighteen months before transferring to the Army Air Corps. He participated in bombardier school in Roswell, New Mexico and was later sent for training at Salina, Kansas Army Air Base, which was the base for the B-29 bombers. He went overseas as a 1st lieutenant and was a squadron navigator with the 793rd Squadron, 468th Very Heavy Bombardment (VH) Group, 58th Wing of the 20th Bomber Command, also known as the “Billy Mitchell” bomb group. His group flew numerous missions over the Himalayas, before flying bombing raids off Tinian Island into Japan. He flew a total of 35 missions and received numerous commendations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was discharged from the military with the rank of Captain. After completing his military service, Holderby returned to Amorita where he coached high school basketball and served as Superintendent. He started in the car business in Cherokee in 1954, and when the original Ford building burned in 1962, he built a new Holderby Ford dealership in 1967 and continued selling automobiles until 1990. In 1975, he purchased the John Deere dealership and constructed a new building in 1978 for Holderby Farm Equipment, which he operated until March 1999. He and his son, Stephen, farmed his lands in northern Alfalfa County, raising wheat, alfalfa and cattle. In 1937, Holderby married LaDanta Ione Jack and they had three children: Kay Frances, Jackie Jill and Stephen Joe. LaDanta Holderby preceded him in death in 1976. He married Marjorie M. Richter in 1977. Holderby served on the Cherokee Board of Education and the Board of Cherokee Industries, Inc., and was President of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association, the Lion’s Club and Farm Bureau. He was named “Cherokee Citizen of the Year” for 1994-1995. He was also a member of the First Christian Church. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Arnold, Joe, Henry, and Louis, and a son-in-law, Eugene H. Beauchamp. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; children, Kay Beauchamp, Jackie Jill and Bobby Resler, and Stephen J. and Mary Holderby; step-children, Russell and Brenda Richter, Doug and Dianna Phillips, Phil and Marsha Kiner; grandchildren, Kay Lyn Beauchamp, Lu Ann and Bruce DuBois, Lynnae Danette and Jacob Kellett, Jeremy Wayne and Windy Resler, Beth Renae Holderby, David Jack Holderby, Brandon Joe and Stacey Wright, Bridgette Mae and Danny Whittet; step- grandchildren, Russell Wayne and Dana Richter, Marty Salas, Cori Lyn and Bryan Phelps, Zola and Tommy Williamns, Lora and Royce Miller, Rebecca and Kyle Frederick, Matt and Monica Phillips, ten great-grandchildren and fifteen step-great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Cherokee with Dr. Ron Hansen officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Cherokee. Burial will be the Byron-Amorita Cemetery. Casket will be open at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8: 00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cherokee High School Track through the funeral home. |
| Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. 1305 S. Grand Cherokee, OK 73728 580-596-2002 |
