Willard Ames Holbrook
August 18, 1933 – August 9, 2024
Following a near-perfect life, Will Holbrook left this world with his wife’s blessing on August 9, 2024. Beloved by all who knew him, Will carried in him a light of positivity that he shined on everyone he encountered. Never flashy, he simply glowed. Will gave all of his youth and some of his prime to the United States Army. An Airborne Ranger, he served for 30 years—54 months of that in overseas combat tours. He was a hero in war and peace, his low-key brand of bravery exemplified the time he rescued a man from drowning and was selected for the Soldier’s Medal, the highest honor a soldier can receive for risking his own life in a non-combat situation, but Will modestly discouraged his command from submitting the award package. After Will shed the uniform, he remained proud of his service, but he never fixated on it. Instead, he chose to appreciate the freedom of his retirement in the country he loved and to soak up new adventures with his family, most of all with his wife Susan, whom he adored almost to a fault. Will approached work projects from the civilian side, as in his work with FEMA for several years in the recovery of Santa Monica College from the devastation of the Northridge earthquake. Will and Susan lived up and down the California coast for decades before detouring through New Orleans for a time and ultimately settling in Solomons Island, Maryland, where the devoted couple enjoyed daily waterside walks together until Will’s very end.
More than two decades before his death, Will composed his own obituary, a nuts-and-bolts technical rendering that, like the writeup above, doesn’t do him justice and, unlike the above, incorrectly guessed his death year (17 years off). It’s included here for those who want it:
Willard Ames Holbrook, III
1933-2041
Born at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, August 18, 1933, will Holbrook became his family’s fifth-generation soldier and USMA graduate, class of 1955. As an army brat, he saw the Army from the inside early in life while his father, then a cavalry officer, was posted Fort Myers, West Point, Washington, D.C., and Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Later, as tanks took over from the horse in World War II, his family followed the 11th Armored Division training from Camp Polk LA, to Abilene TX, to desert training in California and Nevada, and finally to Camp Cooke (later Vandenberg AFB) CA.
After graduation, Will trained armored infantry troops at Fort Hood TX and “gyroscoped” to Germany with the 4th Armored Division, served as aide to CG, USASA, and, in 1962-63, was among the first in combat in Vietnam as an advisor with 3rd Bn, RVN Airborne Brigade. In 1965 as S3, 2nd Bn, 504th Abn Inf Regt, 82nd Airborne Division, he deployed from Fort Bragg to the Dominican Republic to put down an insurgent rebellion. During the deployment he managed to get back to marry Susan Hoyle Graham at Fort Hood. Ten months later, Will returned to serve on Brigade and Division staffs and as SGS, XVIII Airborne Corps.
After obligatory Pentagon assignment, he returned to Vietnam in 1971 as province senior advisor serving under the mercurial legend John Paul Vann until the latter was killed in the Highlands in a helicopter crash. Will later served at West Point, as Commander, 1st Bn, 1st Inf; in the Pentagon National Military Command Center, And in Berlin as Deputy Brigade Commander. His final tour was at the Presidio of San Francisco, as Deputy Chief of Staff, US Army and Military Assistant to the Regional Director FEMA.
His life was devoted to service to country and love of family. He idolized Susan.
Will is survived by his wife Susan Holbrook, his sister Marian Roberson, his children Stephanie Bowers and Ames Holbrook and their spouses John and Soraya, his granddaughters Graham and Sumner Bowers and Sisira Holbrook.
Will’s burial service will take place in West Point Cemetery, New York, at a date to be determined. Those wishing to make a charitable donation in his honor may visit the Vietnam Veterans of America website https://vva.org/donate/ or the Support a Soldier 82nd Airborne website https://www.supportasoldier.com/products/donation-product?variant=28179337019466.
Visitation
Services
- No Services Scheduled at This Time
No Services Available
Interment
- Inurnment
Contributions
Vietnam Veterans of America
8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Support a Soldier 82nd Airborne
373 Hill View Dr.
Grand Junction, CO 8150
Link:
https://www.supportasoldier.com/products/donation-product?variant=28179337019466
Condolences
Sort Comments
19 Aug 2024
12:40pm
My condolences on the passing of the Colonel. He was as fine a man as I’ve ever known.
City
Brownsville
State
Texas
20 Aug 2024
7:17am
To the Colonel, Will,
The finest man a friend could have,
Rest in Peace,
His favorite Corporal,
Rich.
City
Solomons,
State
Maryland
20 Aug 2024
9:57pm
Colonel Holbrook was one of the giants in my life, larger than life, a level of quality in a human being that I always aspired to reach, but not sure if ever could. This man was a part of my pantheon of real men figures in my life, those who were the templates of how to be a good man and how to live this life.
Rest in peace, dear Colonel. My condolences to the Holbrook family.
City
San Francisco
State
CA
22 Aug 2024
12:11pm
Will was my next door neighbor at his home in Asbury Retirement, Solomon’s Maryland. He always greeted me with his handsome smile and cheerful greeting. Miss you neighbor.
City
Solomon's
State
Maryland
25 Aug 2024
5:48am
Le mie più sentite condoglianze per la scomparsa del Colonnello Holbrook che ho conosciuto nel 1992 a San Francisco insieme all’adorata moglie Susan. Ho un bellissimo ricordo di questa splendida famiglia che mi ha accolto con grande calore durante una mia visita dall’ Italia. Sono vicina a Susan, a Stephanie e a Ames che sono sempre stati splendidi con me. Persone davvero meravigliose. Comprendo il vostro dolore perché la vita ci riserva anche questo e non solo gioie. Ho dei bellissimi ricordi della vostra splendida famiglia che terro’ per sempre nel mio cuore. Ciao Susan, Stephanie e Ames. Vi voglio bene. Antonella Ruggiero Italy
City
Jesolo (Venice)
State
Italia
25 Aug 2024
12:36pm
Dearest Will… I shall always hold dear his kindness, humor, and wonderful stories that he would share with me about my Father, his classmate at West Point. Especially the sleeping bag story during winter Ranger School where he and my Father nuzzled together to beat the frigid temperatures. Will was truly one of a kind. God is fortunate to have such an angel by his side. Deepest sympathies to Susan his beautiful bride, his son Ames, daughter Stephanie, and all of those who were touched by such a remarkable man. 🙏
City
Tampa
State
Florida
25 Aug 2024
5:12pm
We and the many other residents of Asbury who knew Will and were fortunate enough to have enjoyed his company and warm personality will miss him very much.
City
Solomons
State
Maryland
28 Aug 2024
7:45pm
Paul and I remember the first time we met Will. As potential Asbury residents, we had the privilege of visiting Will and Susan’s beautiful apartment. He welcomed us into his home with a big smile and then exited, allowing us to get a feel of Asbury apartment living. Later, we became residents and were always greeted warmly with a big smile and conversation whenever we saw him and Susan on the River Walk. Will was cheerful and happy, evidence that he had a determined spirit that had a positive impact on the rest of us.
City
Solomons
State
Maryland
1 Sep 2024
1:40pm
Dear Holbrook Family,
I still remember the day in June 1989 when I first visited your beautiful house in San Francisco. It was Colonel Holbrook who opened the door with a great smile and a cheerful and genuine welcome. Moving from India to Hawaii (with Ames as my wonderful college roommate in HI) and then to the Bay Area, you were the first family I met on the mainland. Everything was so new to me and one thing I always looked forward to was visiting your home and meeting Colonel Holbrook. His cheerful spirit would light up the room and the spirit of the people around him. It was always a privilege to be in his presence, and you never felt like you were speaking to a highly accomplished Army colonel but rather to a kind, genuine man with a heart full of warmth. My condolences to Mrs. Holbrook, Ames, Stef, Soraya, John and the family.
City
Saratoga
State
CA
28 Sep 2024
7:29am
To our dear family Susan, Stef, and Ames,
What a shock to learn of Will’s death and to sense the feeling that this incredible man is no longer with us on earth, but is made whole again in God’s heavenly kingdom.
Will was always someone you looked forward to seeing each family gathering. With his warm smile, his gentle heart and the biggest hug, you knew you were in great company of a man who absolutely adored his wife Susan, his children and his grandchildren. He brought positivity to the room without even trying, but engaged with everyone in such a kind and loving way.
Although Will’s accomplishments were many, he was such a humble, sweet soul with a heart of pure gold.
Bob and I are so sorry for the loss of Will, but send you all our love for the tough days and weeks ahead. We are always here for you.
Always,
Ellen and Bob Cotton
City
San Antonio
State
Texas
Sort Comments
My condolences on the passing of the Colonel. He was as fine a man as I’ve ever known.
To the Colonel, Will,
The finest man a friend could have,
Rest in Peace,
His favorite Corporal,
Rich.
Colonel Holbrook was one of the giants in my life, larger than life, a level of quality in a human being that I always aspired to reach, but not sure if ever could. This man was a part of my pantheon of real men figures in my life, those who were the templates of how to be a good man and how to live this life.
Rest in peace, dear Colonel. My condolences to the Holbrook family.
Will was my next door neighbor at his home in Asbury Retirement, Solomon’s Maryland. He always greeted me with his handsome smile and cheerful greeting. Miss you neighbor.
Le mie più sentite condoglianze per la scomparsa del Colonnello Holbrook che ho conosciuto nel 1992 a San Francisco insieme all’adorata moglie Susan. Ho un bellissimo ricordo di questa splendida famiglia che mi ha accolto con grande calore durante una mia visita dall’ Italia. Sono vicina a Susan, a Stephanie e a Ames che sono sempre stati splendidi con me. Persone davvero meravigliose. Comprendo il vostro dolore perché la vita ci riserva anche questo e non solo gioie. Ho dei bellissimi ricordi della vostra splendida famiglia che terro’ per sempre nel mio cuore. Ciao Susan, Stephanie e Ames. Vi voglio bene. Antonella Ruggiero Italy
Dearest Will… I shall always hold dear his kindness, humor, and wonderful stories that he would share with me about my Father, his classmate at West Point. Especially the sleeping bag story during winter Ranger School where he and my Father nuzzled together to beat the frigid temperatures. Will was truly one of a kind. God is fortunate to have such an angel by his side. Deepest sympathies to Susan his beautiful bride, his son Ames, daughter Stephanie, and all of those who were touched by such a remarkable man. 🙏
We and the many other residents of Asbury who knew Will and were fortunate enough to have enjoyed his company and warm personality will miss him very much.
Paul and I remember the first time we met Will. As potential Asbury residents, we had the privilege of visiting Will and Susan’s beautiful apartment. He welcomed us into his home with a big smile and then exited, allowing us to get a feel of Asbury apartment living. Later, we became residents and were always greeted warmly with a big smile and conversation whenever we saw him and Susan on the River Walk. Will was cheerful and happy, evidence that he had a determined spirit that had a positive impact on the rest of us.
Dear Holbrook Family,
I still remember the day in June 1989 when I first visited your beautiful house in San Francisco. It was Colonel Holbrook who opened the door with a great smile and a cheerful and genuine welcome. Moving from India to Hawaii (with Ames as my wonderful college roommate in HI) and then to the Bay Area, you were the first family I met on the mainland. Everything was so new to me and one thing I always looked forward to was visiting your home and meeting Colonel Holbrook. His cheerful spirit would light up the room and the spirit of the people around him. It was always a privilege to be in his presence, and you never felt like you were speaking to a highly accomplished Army colonel but rather to a kind, genuine man with a heart full of warmth. My condolences to Mrs. Holbrook, Ames, Stef, Soraya, John and the family.
To our dear family Susan, Stef, and Ames,
What a shock to learn of Will’s death and to sense the feeling that this incredible man is no longer with us on earth, but is made whole again in God’s heavenly kingdom.
Will was always someone you looked forward to seeing each family gathering. With his warm smile, his gentle heart and the biggest hug, you knew you were in great company of a man who absolutely adored his wife Susan, his children and his grandchildren. He brought positivity to the room without even trying, but engaged with everyone in such a kind and loving way.
Although Will’s accomplishments were many, he was such a humble, sweet soul with a heart of pure gold.
Bob and I are so sorry for the loss of Will, but send you all our love for the tough days and weeks ahead. We are always here for you.
Always,
Ellen and Bob Cotton