Paul William Holz

Paul William Holz, 98, died on September 13, 2024 in Freeport, Illinois. He was born on February 4, 1926 in Rawlin"s Township near Galena, Illinois. He was the youngest of 6 children born to Louis Carl John and Agnes Henrietta (Zick) Holz.

Paul attended the one-room Cottage Grove school near Galena. When Paul's family moved to Hazel Green, Wisconsin, he attended Hazel Green Elementary School for a short time, then graduated 8th grade while attending the one room Council Hill school near Galena in May 1939. After graduation and his fathers death he worked on the family farm to help support his family.

Paul served in the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division of the United States Army in Korea during the Korean conflict. He was on active duty from December 13, 1950 to September 12, 1952. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. He was awarded various medals during the Korean conflict.

Paul married the love of his life, Shirley May (Reiger) Holz on June 7, 1953 in Lancaster, Wisconsin. They celebrated 53 years of marriage before she passed in 2006.

Paul held an Illinois Plumber license and a State of Wisconsin Journeyman Plumber

License. He worked as a plumber and pipefitter at several businesses including Charles S. Pack Plumbing and Heating, and the Byron Nuclear Plant for almost 40 years before retiring in 1987.

He was associated with the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local #328 in Freeport that later merged with Local #23, Plumbers and Pipefitters Union in Rockford, Illinois. He was a member of the United Association of Journeyman & Apprentice Plumbers & Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada. He also served as a volunteer plumber at Canyon Camp for over 30 years.

Paul was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Galena. He was a faithful member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Freeport. Paul enjoyed reading the lessons at church and assisting with communion.

Paul has many ribbons from the cookies and cakes that he entered at the Stephenson County Fair over the years. He loved to plant his garden, make canned tomatoes, homemade applesauce, assemble jigsaw puzzles, drive his classic cars (yes, he was still driving at 98), and spend time with family and friends. His favorite hobby was making pies. He started in 2003 when his wife taught him the steps of making a pie. They made several pies together as he learned to "roll the pie crust thinner." After his wife passed, Paul continued making birthday pies for family and friends. He never charged for his pies, but any donations were always given to World Hunger. In March 2017, Freeport Journal Standard did a video and an article of Paul making his 1000th pie when he was 90 years old. Since 2008, Paul has enjoyed treating the Canyon Camp Staff with many different kinds of pie on the last Tuesday of summer camp. He had a pie book that he kept track of who got pie and what kind. Over the years, he made 2066 pies!

Paul had the honor of attending the Vets Roll trip to Washington DC with his son Rodney in May 2019. In September 2019 Paul and his grandson Tom Wurtzel flew to Washington DC on the Badger Honor Flight. Both experiences were awesome and gave Paul stories to tell.

Paul is survived by his daughter, Jean (John) Wurtzel of Pecatonica, IL. and son Rodney (Becky) Holz of Freeport, IL. Four grandchildren, Steve (Kelly) Wurtzel of O'Fallon, MO, Tom (Tanya) Wurtzel of Pecatonica, IL, Sherri (Luke) DeWitt of Scio, NY., and Travis (Desi) Holz of Freeport, IL. Six Great-Grandchildren, Emerson Wurtzel, Hadley Wurtzel, Sawyer Wurtzel, Tesla Wurtzel, Trey Holz, and a new great grandbaby on the way!

Paul was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley, his parents Louis C. and Agnes (Zick) Holz, his brother, Louis F. Holz, his sisters Florence Holz, Irene Holz, Lucille (Holz) Bemis, and Elsie (Holz) Kringle.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 23 at 4:00 - 7:00 pm Burke-Tubbs Funeral

Home, Freeport, IL. Funeral Services will be held on September 24 at 10:30 am at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Freeport, IL. Burial will be at Grandview Cemetery north of Freeport, IL.

Memorials may be made to: Friends of Canyon Camp, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, or Highland Community College Foundation.

His family would like to thank FHN Hospice, the 4th floor Nurses of FHN, and the staff at Parkview Home for their kind and caring service.