Benson Funeral HomeSt. Cloud, MNLove Lasts Forever
About UsStaffPlanningLocationResourcesGrief SupportObituariesMerchandiseLodgingContact Us
     
  Obituaries  
William W. Holes,   Age 84
Visitation Location: Benson Funeral Home Chapel, St. Cloud, MN
Visitation Date/Time: Friday, March 4, 2011 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM
Funeral Time: Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Funeral Location: First Presbyterian Church, St. Cloud, MN
Burial Location: North Star Cemetery, St. Cloud, MN
   
     William Whipple Holes, 84, died Thursday, February 24, 2011, at his home, surrounded by his family, following a fifteen-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
     He leaves his wife of 54 years, Charlene (Rasmussen) Holes, son Brad (Nancy) Holes of St Charles, IL, son Todd Holes of Glen Ellyn, IL, son Shawn (Lisa) Holes of Meridian, Idaho, daughter Susan (Brian) White of Cooperstown, New York. Grandchildren are Eliza (Mrs. Kent) True of Nampa, Idaho, William Holes of Meridian, Brayden and Declan White of Cooperstown and Christa Holes of St Charles. He is also survived by his sisters Virginia (Dadie) Beattie and Elizabeth (Peachy) Baumgartner, both of Mercer Island, Washington, and seven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother James Holes of Seattle, and three nieces.
     Born and raised in St Cloud, Minnesota, William was the eldest son of Wilbur (Web) and Ariel Holes. During his teen years he worked on the ore boats on Lake Superior and repaired railroad tracks as a member of a section gang. Immediately upon graduating from St Cloud Technical High School in 1945, he enlisted in the United States Army while his father was chairman of the Draft Board. He served in Germany and Austria and played for the traveling Army football team. Following discharge from the Army, he fought forest fires in Alaska
     He worked his way through the University of Minnesota Duluth branch managing political campaigns. While attending college, he founded the Beta Phi Kappa fraternity and graduated from UMD with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science.
     He was hired by the Pillsbury Company, becoming their top salesman in the country. Later he joined the Scripto Pen Company, with a five-state territory, also becoming their top salesman.
     Bill met his wife Charlene in Des Moines and they were married September 30, 1956 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
     The couple moved to St Cloud in December 1956 where Bill went to work for his father as the sales-advertising manager at The Holes-Webway Company, then was named vice-president and later the president and chairman of the board of the family photo album business.
     Upon return to his home town, he immediately began to make significant personal contributions of time, energy and finances to its welfare and the advancement of many state and national organizations.
     The governor of Minnesota declared Feb 16, 1977 “William W. Holes Day” for his numerous contributions to the City of St Cloud and the State of Minnesota. The annual award for the Midwest Direct Marketing Association is named the William W. Holes Award, so honored as its founder and first president. He was the first person to be awarded the St Cloud State University Alumni Service Award. He was appointed to the State Civil Service Board by the Governor of Minnesota.
     He was voted a Minnesota Elector to the National Electoral College in 1960, was elected as an Alternate Delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1964, and attended the inauguration of Presidents Nixon and Reagan. Appointed to the Citizen’s Committee, Voyageurs National Park, Harold LeVander, the Governor of Minnesota at that time, said “Voyageurs National Park would not have happened without Bill Holes”, as he was instrumental in organizing the different factions within the state, eventually bringing them together in agreement.
     He was honored with Lifetime Membership in Midwest Direct Marketing Association, was President and Founder of the National Business Mailers Association and testified before the US Congress on their behalf, Past President of Young Men of Minnesota, President St Cloud Chamber of Commerce, President St Cloud Area United Way, Chairman St Cloud Area United Way campaign, President St Cloud Country Club, President St Cloud Exchange Club, Chairman St Cloud Business Management Institute, President and Founder St Cloud Area YMCA, Chairman Stearns County Republican Committee, Chairman Sixth Congressional District Republican Committee, Chairman Minnesotans for Goldwater, Chairman March of Dimes, St Cloud, President Shekinah, Organizer St Cloud for Governor’s Youth Employment Progress meeting, Founder and President Consultants’ Roundtable.
     He also was a member of the National Committee for Transportation and Communication for the US Chamber of Commerce, National Committee for Natural Resources for the National Association of Manufacturers, Member National Committee for Education for the US Chamber of Commerce, Board Member National Parks and Conservation Association, Board of Directors of the National Third Class Mail Users Association, Member National Association of Manufacturers Environmental Quality Committee, Member at Large Minnesota Committee of University Health Sciences, Member/ Advisory Committee Central Educational Research and Development Council, Member/Board of Directors Community Services Co-ordination Council, Member Presidents Council College of St Benedict, Board of Directors Opportunity Training Center, St Cloud, Advisory Council Member St John’s University, State of Minnesota Trade Representative to Europe, Member Board of Elders, First Presbyterian Church St Cloud, Member American Association of Professional Consultants, Member American Marketing Association, Member US Entrepreneurs Association, Member Northwest Suburban Association of Commerce and Industry, Member Sales and Marketing Institute (United Kingdom), Member National Speakers Association, Member Midwest Society of Professional Consultants, Member National Association of Self-employed, Member The Entrepreneurs Network, Member Center For Ethics and Corporate Policy, Member Executive Breakfast Club, Member Professional Speakers of Illinois, Member Business and Technical Management Association (Warwickshire, England).
     Ed Henry, the former mayor of St Cloud, stated in his 1971 book “Micropolis in Transition”, that Bill Holes was the second most influential man in the city. Another former mayor, George Byers remarked that Bill Holes had been president of every organization in St Cloud except the Knights of Columbus and the League of Women Voters.
     Bill Holes enjoyed attending his children’s athletic events and became certified as a U S Alpine Ski Official. He co-sponsored the Granite City Classic basketball tournament, a popular holiday series of games.
     Mr Holes had an interest in St Cloud’s few remaining historical buildings and personally financed the research and development of an extensive rehab effort that he hoped would provide St Cloud with a fine hotel but eventually became known as Carter Place, a retirement residence.
     Mr Holes and his wife moved to the Chicago area in 1987 where he was involved in various business activities prior to the advent of his illness. He was a member of Glen Ellyn Bible Church, serving in the Children’s Ministry.
     Benson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements with a funeral service at First Presbyterian Church St Cloud at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 5. Friends may call at Benson from 4 to 8 pm Friday, March 4th.
     Memorials may be directed to ESSE Adult Daycare Center, 41 North Park Blvd, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, 60137 or to the Shawn Holes Family ministry via North American Mission Board, #009099, PO Box 116543, Atlanta, GA 30368-6543
    
 
Send your condolences
Benson Funeral Home invites you to use the form below to share your memories and offer your sympathy to the family of the deceased. We will be honored to pass them along.

Your Information
Name:
City:
State:
Email:
Please use the below space for your condolence:

Please enter the letters/numbers shown below (we have implemented this security measure to decrease the amount of spam received by the funeral home):

 
Family Login
 
Send flowers
Click Here for a list of local florists.

 

Benson Funeral Home • 1111 25th Avenue South • St. Cloud, MN 56301 • (320) 252-3132 • info@bensonfuneralhome.com

About Us | History | Tours, Education & Aftercare | Staff | Pre-Planning | Making Arrangements | Service Considerations | Facility | Directions | Resources | Grief Support | Obituaries | Merchandise | Lodging | Contact Us | Family Login

Click for Saint Cloud, Minnesota Forecast

Copyright © Benson Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.