On the morning of May 17, 2022, Dr. Williams C. “W.C.” Holmes Jr. of Fort Smith, AR passed away at 92 years old. Williams was born to Dr. Williams C. Sr. and Mary Philomene Holmes in 1929 in Mobile, AL. He grew up in Foley, AL and later attended St. Stanislaus Catholic Boarding School for Boys in Bay St. Louis, MS. During his time in Bay St Louis, he met the love of his life, Rose Mary Dick. They were married in 1950 at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis. Williams studied medicine at the University of Alabama-Birmingham where he was a member of the DKE fraternity and attended the undergraduate program at University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa. He performed his surgical internship under Alton Ochsner, Sr., M.D. in New Orleans, LA. Williams served two years in the United States Air Force at Sheppard ABF in Wichita Falls, TX performing surgery for the duration of his service. Williams and Rose Mary moved their family to Fort Smith in 1964 where he joined the Cooper Clinic medical group. He was a general surgeon with Cooper Clinic and retired from St. Edwards Mercy Medical Center in 1996.
During his time living in Fort Smith Williams was a supporter of education and the arts, and at one time was president of the Fort Smith Symphony Orchestra. In his retirement Williams enjoyed sailing the Atlantic Ocean solo, with friends and family and performing as a charter captain. He enjoyed scuba diving and underwater photography. He was an avid listener of classical music and a fan of college football. He was a devout Catholic and attended mass at Immaculate Conception in Fort Smith, AR where he also served as a eucharistic minister. Williams was a volunteer at the Golden Rule Clothes Closet and a supporter of higher education through the scholarship program at Girls, Inc. He enjoyed swimming and exercise classes at Mercy Fitness Center as well as socializing and playing bingo with his fellow residents and staff at Brookdale Senior Living.
Williams is preceded in death by both parents, Williams and Philomene, his wife Rose Mary, and daughter Amy Schluterman. He is survived by two brothers, James S. Holmes of Slidell, LA and Broox G. Holmes of Mobile, AL; three children, Sibley Holmes-Pennington of Fort Smith, Mark Holmes of Abita Springs, LA, David Holmes of Fort Smith; six grandchildren, Desiree Williamson (Anthony), Heather Tarrant (Andy), Clayton Holmes (Victoria), Zachary Schluterman, Dustin Pennington (Renee), Leila Chavez (James); four great-grandchildren; Hadlie Schluterman, Kailyn Tarrant, Felix Williamson, Grace Lipham; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for friends and family will be held on Wednesday, May 25 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Edward Funeral Home, 201 N 12th St, Fort Smith, AR, followed by the Rosary at 6:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be held Thursday, May 26 at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 22 N. 13th St., Fort Smith, AR followed by a funeral procession and interment at Calvary Cemetery. Reception to follow at Immaculate Conception.
Memorial contributions in Dr. W.C. Holmes Jr.’s memory can be made to Immaculate Conception church for mass said in his memory or Girls Inc. of Fort Smith.
To view the online guestbook, please go to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.
