William V. Holik

William V. Holik 1925 – 2008 William V. Holik passed away on July 28, 2008 after succumbing to a stroke. Born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island to William and Eileen Holik, he was raised in Norfolk, VA and Beaumont, TX before settling in El Paso in 1942. Bill attended Texas A&M University starting in 1943. His college career was delayed due to his service in the Army Air Corps until 1946 when he returned to Texas A&M and completed a BS in Chemical Engineering. He married Mary Jo Brown of Parral Chihuahua/El Paso in 1949 and raised a family of five children. Bill began his civilian career with El Paso Natural Gas Company where he worked for 34 years before retiring as president of the company in 1983. After his retirement, Bill remained very active in the community serving as Director of Providence Memorial Hospital, El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Chamber of Commerce, and State National Bank along with participating in a multitude of other civic organizations. Although he loved El Paso and its culture, Bill’s greatest dedication was to his family. He was patriarch to a large and diverse group which has spread across the country and the world. A man of great integrity and wisdom, Papi, as he is known to his immediate family was a pillar for the family, the example against which we will all be measured for generations. Preceded in death by his sister, Jean Elizabeth (Bitsy) Wyler, he is survived by Mary Jo, his wife of 59 years. Papi is also survived by his children: Marleen and Michael McCormack of El Paso, Bill Holik and Jo Runce of San Antonio, James Holik of Washington DC, Kathleen and Armando Vega of El Paso and John and Pilar Holik of Ware, MA. He is survived by 13 grandchildren: Ben, Ryan, and Katie McCormack; Brenna, Jim, Beth and David Holik, Jonquil and Zak Goode; Adriana, Daniel, and Jessica Vega; Steven Holik, and dear friend and caregiver Leticia Valles. Visitation for this great man will be held from 11-12 pm, Thursday, July 31, 2008 at Sunset Funeral Home-West, Chapel of Remembrance, followed by Funeral Service at 12:00 pm. Internment will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that charitable donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of El Paso, in behalf of his beloved wife Mary Jo. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West. Please visit our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.