William Arthur "Bill" Holt

Funeral services for Reverend William Arthur “Bill” Holt, 89, of Carthage, Texas will be 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 19th, 2025 at the Rehobeth Methodist Church with Michael Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the Walton Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 19th at Rehobeth Methodist Church. “Brother Bill” was born October 20, 1935 in Carthage, Texas. He passed this life peacefully April 13th, 2025 at his Carthage, Texas home. Bro. Bill was the cherished son of William Lively and Hettie Mae (Heard) Holt. He was raised in Carthage, graduating with the Bulldog class of 1955. He attended Lon Morris College, Centenary College, Stephen F. Austin State University and completed his seminary work at the Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. He married his love, Margie Louise Gordy on November 15th, 1957, in Galveston, Texas and they celebrated 67 years of marriage and raised five daughters. Bro. Bill served many churches through his appointment in the Texas conference of the United Methodist Church. He served congregations in Geneva, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Avinger, Hemphill, Tyler, Dickinson, Angleton, Humble and Beaumont from which he retired. Parishioners especially loved his chalk talks where he shared his artistry and message. He was a gardener, woodworker, fisherman and talented artist. He enjoyed country and western dancing, raising cattle, and fishing. Time with family was precious to Bro. Bill, so he built a camper from the ground up and they took family vacations to many beautiful locations over the years. Bro. Bill is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Jennie Mae Ballard, Catherine Gist, and Faye Cordray; and a grandson, Joseph Nakanishi. He is survived by his loving wife, Margie Holt of Carthage; devoted daughters, Virginia Kathleen Simpson and husband Scott of New York, Pamela Louise Madera and husband Mark of Houston, Karen Annette Holt of Brooklyn, Melinda Kay McMahon and husband David of Palestine, Susan Holt Jones and husband Michael of McKinney; grandchildren, Olivia Simpson and husband Kyle Mooney, Layla Connelly, Sara Simpson, Sean Madera, Stephen Nakanishi, Andrew Nakanishi, Courtney Matlack and husband Ryan, Garrett Jones, Lauren Jones, Matthew Jones, and Megan Jones; great grandchildren, Silas and Ethan Mooney; numerous nieces, nephews and host of friends. Serving as pallbearers will be David McMahon, Scott Simpson, Mark Madera, Dan Cole, Andrew Nakanishi, Sean Madera, Garrett Jones, and Matthew Jones. An online guestbook may be signed at: www.hawthornfuneralhome.com

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William Arthur "Bill" Holt

October 20, 1935 - April 13, 2025