William T. Holmes

William T. Holmes, 82 of Galena, IL passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Mercy One Hospital in Dubuque, IA. A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 AM, Thursday, October 8, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Galena and where friends may call after 11 AM at the church until the time of mass. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Furlong Funeral Chapel in Galena. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Burlington, WI on Friday, October 9, 2026.  Born July 13, 1944, Bill was the middle child of William Sr. and Catherine Holmes and grew up in the Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL with his two older sisters and two younger brothers. When his father passed from leukemia in 1961, his mother moved the family to Burlington. At St. Mary’s High School, Bill excelled in golf and basketball, where he played alongside his brother John for the Hilltoppers. While attending St. Mary’s, he met his future wife, Mary Kay. Bill attended DePaul University where he graduated with a degree in English, while his fiancée went to nursing school. After marrying in 1968, Bill and Mary Kay went on to build a house on a wooded acre in the northern suburb of Highland Park, IL in 1977, where they raised their two sons Bill Jr. and Jim, along with hosting a cast of characters over the years. The home of Bill and Mary Kay was always open to people in crisis and transition, where guests were a welcome blessing, never a burden, and treated like family. They added on to the house in 2000, when Bill’s mother Catherine moved in, living alongside Bill Jr, his wife Martha, and their daughters Krystal and Klarissa – 4 generations under the same roof. Professionally, Bill made a successful career in building consulting, focusing on inspection services and zoning administration. He received his Master’s degree in Public Administration in 1988 and began his own business – Holmes Consulting Services, serving in a variety of capacities for the growing northwest suburbs. In 2005, Bill and Mary Kay built a house in the Galena Territory with added living space to host their vast network of friends and family in their retirement years. He eventually retired in 2011 and moved to Galena full time, where he worked on the Galena Territory Board and the Civic Affairs Commission. Bill enjoyed playing golf with his wife, friends, and family and spent many winters in the warmer climates of Arizona and Florida to enjoy his hobby year-round. He played in Galena’s Silver Eagles League and helped facilitate events. Bill was a devoted grandfather to his beloved granddaughters Krystal and Klarissa. Foremost, he was a devoted husband to his wife and best friend of 58 years. Together, they navigated life’s trials and tribulations with mutual respect and admiration, providing a model for partnership and perseverance. He will be forever remembered for his humor and wit, love for family and friends, engaging charisma, and a fondness for underdogs. He is survived by wife Mary Kay, sons Bill Jr. and Jim, granddaughters Krystal and Klarissa, sisters Barbara and Joan, brothers John and Tom.