William J. Holzworth

He moved from the farm in South Dakota at 18 years of age to begin his long career in aircraft construction in Burbank California. In Burbank, he worked for Lockheed Corp. helping to build our nation's WWII aircraft. Doing his patriotic duty, he joined the US Navy with his brothers to serve his country. He remained stateside in the aircraft construction industry. After the war he began work in the Federal Civil Service in Corpus Christi, Texas. In 1960 he transferred to Pensacola Naval Base.

His professional career as a tool and die maker was distinguished as the designer and builder of the spacecraft seat for Monkey Baker, the first primate launched into space by NASA. He was also involved in the structural modifications of the Blue Angels aircraft. He enjoyed his work because of the design challenges and variety of day to day work assignments.

Following retirement from NARF at Pensacola NAS, he pursued his avocation of Bromeliad propagation and gardening.

He is survived by his three children, Georgia Fesmire, Linda Threadgill and Jerry Holzworth and six grandsons, Douglass Fesmire, Michael Fesmire, Peter Fesmire, Matt Holzworth, Christopher Holzworth, Zachary Holzworth, as well as two great grandchildren, Lucas Fesmire and Mae Fesmire.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 17, 2010 at Bayview Fisher, Pou Chapel, 3351 Scenic Highway, Pensacola. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 18, 2010 at Bayview Fischer-Pou Chapel, with burial to follow at Bayview Memorial Park.In lieu of Flowers family request that memorial be donated to the American Cancer Society , 5501 Corporate Woods Drive Suite 100, Pensacola, Florida 32504 or the American Heart Association , 7272, Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231.

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