WILLIAM P. HOLMES, LTJG, USN
William Holmes '52
Lucky Bag
From the 1952 Lucky Bag:
William Patton Holmes
Waterford, Virginia
Jocular, a bouncing ball of vitality and with a passion for classical music, Bill was the cosmopolitan of the class. The academics at Navy never gave Bill any trouble and he found time to play a good game of lacrosse and write and think of his OAO from Virginia. Bill worked hard at lacrosse and was one of the regular work and sweat boys out every season. With a knack for harmonizing, he and his guitar were always ready and willing to join the gang in a few songs. Bill planned to roll to the Wide Blue Yonder after graduation; we know that he will succeed, for with his ability he will be able to fly anything.
William Patton Holmes
Waterford, Virginia
Jocular, a bouncing ball of vitality and with a passion for classical music, Bill was the cosmopolitan of the class. The academics at Navy never gave Bill any trouble and he found time to play a good game of lacrosse and write and think of his OAO from Virginia. Bill worked hard at lacrosse and was one of the regular work and sweat boys out every season. With a knack for harmonizing, he and his guitar were always ready and willing to join the gang in a few songs. Bill planned to roll to the Wide Blue Yonder after graduation; we know that he will succeed, for with his ability he will be able to fly anything.
Loss
From Find A Grave:
Killed in a mid-air collision during a night dive bombing practice over the island of Stromboli while flying off USS Intrepid (CVA-11) as a member of Attack Squadron 85 (VA-85).
He is buried in Virginia.
Family
He had a son, William, who drowned in 1958 at the family home of his stepfather.
His sister, Marian, married a 1953 graduate but died of polio in March 1956.
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