William V. Holtz

William V. Holtz, husband, father, grandfather, writer, scholar, teacher, and builder extraordinaire, died at his home in West Salem, Wisconsin in the early hours of October 9, 2023.  He was 91 years old.  He is missed by Lora (Mowry), his wife of 69 years, his daughters Vickie and Erica, his twelve grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild, and too many relatives, friends, colleagues, and former students to recount here.  He was preceded in death by his daughter Sigrid (d. 2022), his brothers James and Roger, and his parents Ada (Mustone) and William C. Holtz.

Dr. Holtz was a graduate of Sturgis High School in Sturgis, Michigan, where he was valedictorian of the class of 1950.  He earned a BA in English from the University of Michigan (1954), an MA in English from the University of Washington (1956), and PhD in English (1966) from the University of Michigan.  He served in the United States Army from 1956-1959.  A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Dr. Holtz was the author of multiple books and articles, most notably Image and Immortality (1970), The Ghost in the Little House (1995), and Gathering the Family (1997).

Dr. Holtz joined the English faculty at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1970.  He was professor of eighteenth-century British literature and served for many years as graduate director.  He retired in 1996.  He is remembered by many as a trustworthy colleague, a skillful teacher, and an unforgettable mentor.

Saying that “there is little a man needs to know that he can’t learn from a book,” upon retirement, he built the log home that stands as a treasured gathering place and as his legacy to his family.

At his request, there will be no funeral or formal memorial. The best way to honor his memory is to gather with those you love to enjoy good food, good drink, good memories, and good books.