This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marysday Surnames: Holt, Lee, Willis, Slothower, LaPoint, Hayes, Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.oregon.counties.lincoln/5253/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The News Times Newport, OR 97365 Posted: Wednesday, Feb 17th, 2010 William Holt William "Bill" Lester Holt, Jr., 84, of Newport, Ore., died of natural causes on Feb. 8, 2010 at his home. He was born July 2, 1925 to William Lester Holt and Alice Lee in Riverside, N.J. He attended various schools until his mother left him to work at his grandfather's farm in New Jersey when he was 14. Unhappy with this arrangement, he sold his father's watch in order to purchase the longest one-way bus ticket possible, and went to Eau Gallie, Fla. He worked odd jobs on fishing boats and in a grocery store before entering the U.S. Air Force at age 16. He quickly moved up the ranks and by age 19, he was promoted to Master Sergeant, the youngest on record. He served with distinction in the 8th Air Force during World War II and was stationed outside of London, in Morocco, in Puerto Rico, and in various cities throughout the U.S. During his time in London, he met and married Freda Mae-Nellie Cutts. He retired from the Air Force after 30 years of distinguished service. After the war, he worked for McDonnell-Douglas for 10 years, and he retired at the age of 54. He and his wife lived for many years in Redondo Beach and Ukiah, Calif. before settling in Newport in 1990. In his later years, he enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including computers and gadgets, photography, traveling to England, trips to Costco, playing his organ, cooking, and automobiles. He and Freda especially enjoyed their daily walks along Agate Beach and around the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Newport and was active in his community, Longview Hills. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Freda Holt, and his brothers, Richard Willis and Arthur Willis. He is survived by his son, Quentin Mark Holt of Renton, Wash.; daughter, Melody (Ben) Slothower of Corvallis; granddaughters, Susannah (Kenny) LaPoint of Bend and Jessica (Chris Hayes) Slothower of Portland; and two great-grandsons. Plans for a memorial service are pending. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.