“Our Bill” born on December 20, 1928, died peacefully at home on December 25, 2023. Bill was an only child born in Fort Worth, TX to William Joseph and Marguerite Busch Holden. In 1946 Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea, providing radio links as an Air Ground Liaison. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BS and MS in Engineering Physics. In August 1955 Bill joined the staff of the Petroleum Engineering Department at LSU as an Assistant Professor. Bill took a two-year leave to earn his Doctorate of Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas, returning to LSU as a quintessential professor for 39 years. During his tenure at LSU, Bill received numerous awards and accolades. He also authored many publications, including co-authoring the textbook Well Design: Drilling and Production. He was remembered by students and peers as “the best” as he was devoted to teaching.
In addition to being a lifelong learner, Bill was an active member at St. Aloysius Parish; where he participated as a lector, altar server at weekday masses, and rosary group leader. He enjoyed annual retreats to Manresa Retreat Center for over 40 years, strengthening and sharing his faith with others. He was part of a team that enjoyed visiting and feeding the homeless through the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
If you asked Bill what he valued the most in life, it would be his Catholic faith and family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Barbara Babin Holden; daughter Marguerite “Peggy” and husband Brian Theis; granddaughters Erin Theis Lahutsky and husband Nick, Gretchen Theis and Mary Grace Theis; daughter Judith “Judi” Holden; grandsons Benton Paul Stegemoeller and William Jacob Stegemoeller. We are forever grateful for his loving caregivers, Bailey Prather and Misty Reeves.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 13th at St. Aloysius Parish, Baton Rouge, LA with visitation beginning at 10:00AM and a reception in the Parish Hall after the mass. Burial will follow at the Prairieville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Manresa Retreat Center, Convent, LA, https://www.manresala.org/retreats/donations; St. Vincent De Paul Society, LSU Petroleum Engineering Bill Holden Scholarship; Prairieville Cemetery Association, PO Box 531, Prairieville LA 70769.
