Colonel William P. Holmes III, USA (Ret) went to his eternal rest in Heaven on Monday, November 18, 2019, while in the presence of his loved ones. He is preceded in death by his brother, Robert Lee Holmes. Born January 23, 1936, in Frostburg, Maryland, to Marie Virginette Kergan and William Pinkney Holmes II, Bill led a full and accomplished life. At the age of 21, he married the love of his life, JoAnn Golden, in his hometown on March 23, 1957. They had one daughter together, LeeAnn Holmes Roberts.
In 1955, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army. Two years later, he graduated from Officer Candidate School and spent the next 30 years serving this great nation. He served in a number of command and staff positions at all levels of the Army and in a number of geographical areas from Africa to Southeast Asia and Oceania, to include two tours in Vietnam, two in Thailand, one in Ethiopia, and one in Australia. Along the way, he obtained a B.A. in History and Political Science from St. Benedict’s College, and a M.A. in Diplomatic History from Kansas State University. Among the numerous military schools he attended was the Defense Language Institute where he became a Thai linguist, a mastery he held for the remainder of his life. He retired on March, 12, 1987, at the rank of full colonel. His many awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (w/OLC), Bronze Star Medal (w/”V” device and 5 OLCs), Purple Heart, Air Medal (w/6 OLCs), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (w/OLC), Good Conduct Medal, Royal Order of the Crown of Thailand, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm and Gold Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Airborne Badge, Aircraft Crewman Wings, and the JCS ID Badge. Upon his retirement, he was inducted into the Infantry Hall of Fame at Ft. Benning, GA.
Following his retirement from the military, Bill remained in Crofton, Maryland, where he and Jan currently reside. He worked in the field of commercial real estate management for 21 years. Since 2006, he worked as the Field Services Supervisor for the Johns Hopkins U.S. Family Health Plan. His work history also included 14 years of tutoring/teaching homeschooled high school students in the subjects of U.S. History, American Government, and Basic Economics. In addition to his careers, Bill always prioritized service to others. Near and dear to his heart was the Wounded Warrior Mentor Program at Ft. Meade, which he was the Site Leader for since 2006. In addition, he also encouraged one of his Government homeschooled students to pursue her singing talents and share them with his fellow Veterans. This has since developed into Voices of Vets, Inc., a nonprofit organization which provides patriotic music to Veterans homes across the nation.
Bill is survived by his wife JoAnn "Jan" Holmes, his daughter LeeAnn Roberts, his son-in-law, Mark Roberts, his grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law, Allison, Joel, Suzanne, and Emily, and his great-grandchild, Amelia.
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