The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., July 27, 1995, page 16

WILLIAM HOLMAN

     Educator William Hayes Holman died Wednesday, July 12, 1995, in Auburn, Wash. He was 90 years old.
     Born in Bonham, Texas, in 1905, Mr. Holman began his teaching career at the age of 19 in a one-room school house near Bugtussel, Texas.
     Following the end of World War II, Holman served as superintendent of schools in White Salmon for eight years. He took the reins of the Centralia School District in 1953 and moved to Auburn in 1957.
     Mr. Holman was preceded in death by his wife LaVada.
     He is survived by his son John Holman of Auburn; his daughter Jerry Shahan of Puyallup, Wash.; a brother, Pete Holman of Bonham, Texas; three sisters, Pauline Rodgers and Blanche Dawson, both of Honey Grove, Texas, and Bessie May West of Dallas, Tex.; and four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
     Services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 16 at the First United Methodist Church in Auburn.
 

The Valley Daily News, Auburn, WA., July 14, 1995, page A5
Includes portrait

GRCC CO-FOUNDER HOLMAN DIES AT 90

By John Kaiser
Valley Daily News
 

     AUBURN - Educator William Hayes Holman, who was instrumental in founding Green River Community College, died Wednesday, July 12, 1995. He was 90 years old.
     Mr. Holman started an adult education program while he was superintendent of the Auburn School District from 1957-1969. That program grew to 2,000 students before he helped convince the Legislature to approve funding for the college, which opened in 1965.
     Mr. Holman was most recently on the college campus during commencement ceremonies this year.  The colleges first building, the Holman Library, was named after him.
     "The college is deeply saddened by his loss," said spokesman John Ramsey. "He was very instrumental in the formation of Green River community College and was very important to this institution."
     Mr. Holman presided over Auburn schools during their biggest growth spurt from 1957 to 1969.  During those years, the district population grew from 4,300 to 8,300 and 10 new buildings were constructed.
     "Much of the benefits we enjoy today are due to his groundwork many years ago," said Bob Poldervart, associate superintendent.
     After retiring as superintendent, Mr. Hayes served on the City Council from 1969 to 1975.
     "He was just an outstanding gentleman, educator and community citizen," said Mayor Chuck Booth.  He "made a tremendous contribution to this community and this school district."
     Born in Bonham, Texas, in 1905, Mr. Holman began his teaching career at the age of 19 in a one-room school house near Bugtussel, Texas.
     He received a bachelor's degree from East Texas State University in 1929 and a master's degree in education administration from the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1935.
     He taught meteorology and navigation for the Army Air Force during World War II.
     After the war, he served as superintendent of schools in White Salmon, Wash., for eight years before taking the reins of the Centralia School District in 1953 and finally coming to Auburn in 1957.
     Mr. Holman was preceded in death by his wife LaVada.
     He is survived by his son John Holman of Auburn; his daughter Jerry Shahan of Puyallup; a brother, Pete Holman of Bonham, Tex.; three sisters, Pauline Rodgers and Blanche Dawson, both of Honey Grove, Tex., and Bessie Mae West of Dallas, Tex.; four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
     Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 16 at the First United Methodist Church.  Burial will be at Mountain View Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the Green River Community College Scholarship Fund.  Arrangements are by Price Helton Funeral Chapel.