William B Holsonbake
May 15, 1908 ~ August 26, 2009
A loving earthly life has ended as William B. Holsonbake has been called home by his Lord and Savior. Funeral services for Mr. Holsonbake will be at 10 AM on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at First United Methodist Church in Hughes Springs with Dr. Roy Rutherford and Rev. Ralph Hale officiating. Interment will be at the International Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery at 3 PM in Farmersville, TX. Mr. Holsonbake was born on May 15, 1908 in Farmersville, TX to James Robert and Willie Holsonbake and died Wednesday, August 26th at Margarets House Hospice in Longview after a lengthy illness. He was 101. Mr. Holsonbake was a graduate of Farmersville High School and a 1931 graduate of Texas A&M. He later earned a Masters Degree from East Texas State University at Commerce. While at A&M, he won the Southwest Conference High Jump for 3 years in a row. He married Mattie Lee Carver in July of 1935, who preceded him in death in April of 1991. Mr. Holsonbake taught agriculture in Hughes Springs from 1939 until his retirement in 1973. He received many awards and recognitions during his career: Honorary American Farmer, Outstanding Conservation Teacher of Texas, Outstanding Teacher of 1972-1973. A lifelong dream was achieved when his 1971 Land Judging Team won First Place at the International Land Judging Contest. He was inducted into the Farmersville Hall of Fame. Mr. Holsonbake was active in First United Methodist Church, Lions Club (Charter Member), Masonic Lodge, Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Rites and Community Affairs. He received the Crystal Globe Award for Devotion to Education, the Golden Trowel Award presented by the Grand Lodge of Texas. Mr. Holsonbake served on the Marion-Cass Soil and Water Conservation District for many years. He also served as Hughes Springs Director on the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District until just a few months prior to his death. Mr. Holsonbake is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law Janet and Gary Ellis of Richwood, TX and Diane and Floyd Johnson of Lake Jackson, TX; four grandchildren Melanie, Scott, David and Angela; eight great-grandchildren; one sister Marianne Rutherford of Claude, TX. Mr. Holsonbake will lie in repose on Friday, August 28th and the family will receive friends from 6-8 PM at the funeral home in Hughes Springs. Memorials may be made to the Lions Club Childrens Camp, First United Methodist Church, Hughes Springs; and Margarets House Hospice of Longview. On-line condolences can be made www.reeder-davis.com.
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What a wonderful man was Mr. Holsonbake. We had the privilege of knowing him and Mattie Lee for 40 years. What a happy person was he. It was a joy to be in his presence. Our sympathy and love go out to his family.eomz
Mr Holsonbake was my Ag Teacher during my High School years. He was a great teacher and friend. I had not seen Mr Holsonbake for over 36 years and I ran into him at a Water District meeting in Mt Pleasant in 2000. I could not believe that he reconized me and knew my name after all the faces he has seen thur out his life. I told him I didnt realize that I was that ugly for him to remember me. I used to play the Guitar & sing back in my school years , and the first thing he ask me.."Do you still play the Guitar". I never will forget the day. I was in Ag class and a State Trooper came to my class. I had an outstanding traffic ticket for speeding (who would have guessed) and Mr. Holsonbake payed the ticket for me that day. After a long lecture from such a father figure. I repayed Mr. Holsonbake by working on his farm. He was always there for me and when I needed someone to talk to, it was Mr. Holsonbake. I regret that I didnt take the time to visit him like I should have, but we all know that non of us take the time as we should, and then its too late. I just cant say enough kind words about this man.He will be missed.
Our family has had association with Mr. Holsonbake from 1939 to the present. Mr. Holsonbake reminded me on more than one occasion that my grandfather Mr. Hood was on the school board and one of the individuals responsible for him coming to Hughes Springs in 1939. Mr. Holsonbake was my Agriculture teacher for two years when I attended High School (1966, 1969). I learned a great deal from him. He taught me many things but especially how to raise two calves under his direction. I could always count on him for any advice or any type of assistance. My most memorable memories in High School were made in Mr. Holsonbakes classroom. He often took the entire class on various field trips or to other students homes or farms. I was also fortunate to attend the same church as him. Mr. Holsonbake always took time to talk to everyone who approached him. He always had a smile and a great outlook on life. I will always remember him and miss him a great deal.Patrick Sanders
What a wonderful man, and what a blessing it was to know him! He will be missed by Gene and me, just two among a thousand more!
I shall always remember this man as an icon in HS schools. I remember enjoying a cup of squirrel stew with him more than one time.
I knew him in the late 50s as a Hughes Springs student and lived just down the street. He was a good man!Michael Grant
Janet & Diane, both of you were very young when I was around HS, so you will probably not remember me. But, I take great pride in knowing your father. Some say he was a teacher, but I say he was an educator and a great one at that. His students were always first in his eyes. He didn't believe in giving something to anyone, but he'd spend his last hour helping that person get what he wanted. God Bless him for what he contributed to the lives of countless country boys and girls in HS, educating us for life after High School. Bill's standards were high and he tried his best to elevate ours. I wish I had the opportunity to have one last visit with him before he got so bad. The Good Lord willing, I'll see him again and we'll talk over the fateful late 40's up to the early 50's
To the Holsonbake Family, with deepest regrets and condolences and abiding respect. I came to know your parents through church gatherings, etc. They were the "salt of the Earth" and true children of God…..I held them in the highest esteem. We can only hope to lead lives as exemplary as theirs. There will be a special place in Heaven for Mr. and Mrs. Holsonbake. May God Bless you now and in the days ahead. To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die……
my teacher, friend,mentor,leader and,counselor since september 1947.THANKS,TO YOU MR.HOLSONBAKE.
Thinking of you at this time of sorrow.
Mr. Holsonbake was a great man. I enjoyed so much as a kid and a teen going up and drinking tea with him and his wife and listening to him tell stories. He was an inspiration to me and to many others. May God bless your family during this time of loss and may your memory live on in those you touched. Bentley Parker
So sorry to hear of your loss.Mr. Holsonbake was truely a great man.He will be missed.
Mr. Holsonbake was a wonderful man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Mr. Holsonbake was one of our most treasured Aggies that we always looked forward to seeing at our annual Muster Meeting each year for the Cypress-Valley A&M Club. He was a wonderful person and a great role-model for all people and Aggies everywhere.Gig'em and God Bless you W.B.
He and his wife were the first people I remember meeting when my grandparents moved in across the street. In years, since we would see him when we visited Cass County and attended Aggie functions. My sincere sympathies to all of his family.
WB will be missed.