William Clester Holden

William Clester Holden was born Tuesday, August 28, 1928, in Williamsburg, Kansas, the son of Earl C. Holden and Opal D. (Atkinson) Holden-Hoobing. He was raised by his stepfather, Harry Hoobing. Clester grew up in Franklin County, Kansas, living in several states during his employment years, returning to Ottawa following his retirement, where he made his home until his death Sunday, March 30, 2008, at the age of 79 years. Clester attended Williamsburg, Richmond and Ottawa schools. While attending school, he worked part-time at Western Union as a messenger and later delivered the Kansas City Star. Following his military service, he worked for Warner Manufacturing; Santa Fe Railroad Signal Department on the Eastern Kansas crew, three years; Southern Pacific Railroad Signal Department in the Los Angeles, California area, two years; Douglas Aircraft Company in Santa Monica, California as an electrical installer on the DC 6 and DC 7 airliners two years after completing riveting school; Lockheed Aircraft as an electrical assembler on the Lockheed Constellation in Burbank, California six months; Bennett Creamery fifteen years; and part-time for City Cab Co. He worked for the USDA as an egg products inspector and egg shell grader over twenty-one years in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, California, and Wisconsin, retiring June 30, 1990. He attended Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Ottawa. Clester served in the United States Marine Corps from April 12, 1946, until December 15, 1947, attaining the rank of Private First Class and receiving the World War II Victory Medal, Honorable Service Lapel and Discharge Buttons, and was awarded the Certificate of Satisfactory Service. Clester was a very kind, outgoing person, who enjoyed visiting with everyone, especially at McDonald's and Wal-Mart. He loved riding his lawn mower and talking on his cell phone. Clester greatly enjoyed his family and always took such good care of Maxine. In 1948, Clester was united in marriage with Bernice Bacon. They were later divorced. On December 3, 1955, Clester was united in marriage with Maxine Louise Barnhart. They celebrated fifty-two years of marriage. She survives of the home. He is also survived by his son, Roger William Holden of Lawrence, KS; two daughters, Vicki Sue Dowdy and her husband, David, Cynthia Ann McCall and her husband, Marc; stepdaughters, Connie L. McAuley, Gloria J. Stitt and her husband, Danny, Mary Catherine 'Cathi' Page and her husband, Benny, all of Ottawa; sister, Pat Carey and her husband, Richard, of Osage City, KS; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and stepfather. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from Dengel & Son Mortuary at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2008. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Holden at Dengel & Son Mortuary after 9:00 a.m. Wednesday to service hour, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Wednesday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetry in Ottawa. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Kingdom Hall Fund, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.