Pike-Lamar County GaArchives Obituaries.....Holmes, William Penn April 11 1920
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Lynn Cunningham http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002535 January 3, 2005, 7:17 pm

The Barnesville News-Gazette, April 15, 1920
Pioneer Citizen Dies

Mr. W.P. Holmes Passes Away After Brief Illness

Mr. W.P. Holmes, familiarly known among all the citizens of the city and 
surrounding section as “Uncle Billy Holmes,” died at his home on Thomaston 
street Sunday morning at 3 o’clock, his death being not unexpected to his loved 
ones and friends, who were apprized of the critical condition in which he had 
been for several days. He had really been in declining health for several 
months but not until a few days ago had he taken to his bed. Everything 
possible was done for him, but his advanced age and the nature of the disease 
which was preying upon his body made it impossible to help him very much and 
for days all efforts were directed toward relieving him of pain and suffering.

The funeral service was held Monday afternoon and was conducted by the members 
of Pinta Lodge, No. 88, F.&A.M., of which he had long been a faithful and 
devoted member. Friends assembled at the home, when the Masons took charge of 
the body and carried it to the family lot in Greenwood cemetery, where the very 
impressive Masonic ceremony occurred at the grave, these solemn rites being 
witnessed by a large concourse of relatives and friends. After the Masonic 
services were concluded Rev. Frank Quillian pronounced the benediction.

Mr. Holmes was 77 years old and had lived all his life in this community. He 
was a gallant Confederate veteran, having been wounded in the great struggle in 
which so many young southerners gave their lives. He had been engaged in 
farming all his life. He had many close personal friends throughout the 
community. He had decided views and convictions and never hesitated to express 
them when he thought it necessary to do so. He nearly always took an interest 
and frequently an active part in public matters, always standing firmly for 
what he considered right.

Mr. Holmes for many years has been a member of the Methodist church of 
Barnesville. He loved in an unusual degree his family and believed in showing 
his affection by deeds as well as in words.

For many years he has been such a familiar figure in and about the city that he 
will be sadly missed by all the citizens and particularly by hosts of his good 
friends.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, Messrs. Robert and John Holmes of Sparta; 
by his mother, who is now 97 years old; by one brother, Rev. J.F. Holmes, and 
one sister, Miss Virgie Holmes, to all of whom the tender sympathy of all the 
people is extended in their present sorrow over his loss.

(From copy obtained at Old Jail Museum and Archives, Barnesville, Georgia. 
Compiled by Shanna English.)

Additional Comments:
Note: At Greenwood Cemetery, Lamar (formerly Pike) County, Georgia:
Holmes, William Penn, b. 19 Sept 1841, d. 11 Apr 1920

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/pike/obits/h/ob6204holmes.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/

File size: 3.4 Kb