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Celebrating the life of
William Roger Holden
Passed away on February 18, 2021
William Roger Holden died peacefully at his home in Savannah Thursday, February 18th, 2021. He was 74 years old.
Mr. Holden was a longstanding and well-respected member of the Greater Savannah community. He was born October 10, 1946 to James William and Ella Mae Merck Holden of Easley, SC, both deceased. He was predeceased by an older brother, James Donnie and is survived by a sister, Carol Holden Chapman of Powdersville, SC and a brother, James William Holden, Jr. of Beaufort, SC. Mr. Holden was previously married to the former Catherine Jones of Savannah and is survived by three children: Catherine Marshall Holden of Louisville, KY; Caroline James Holden of Washington, DC; and William Roger Holden, Jr. of Wilmington Island, GA.
Mr. Holden received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Georgia in 1968 and remained a loyal alumnus and avid fan of his beloved Bulldogs throughout his life. He was a Certified Life Underwriter by The American College. He was honorably discharged from the South Carolina National Guard in 1974 and began his long and successful career with Liberty Life Insurance Company in Greenville, SC. In 1982, Mr. Holden joined Jones, Hill, and Mercer Insurance in Savannah where he eventually became Vice President and Managing Partner, contributing to the company becoming one of the 25 largest insurance agencies in the U.S. before merging with Hilb, Rogal, Hamilton in 1994. Mr. Holden went on to found Holden Benefits, Inc. where he served regional employers until 2010 before joining Wells Fargo Insurance Services where he ranked in the top 25% of producers nationally. He was a Co-Founder of the Georgia Society of Professional Benefits Administrators as well as a Founding Board Member of Compass Health Management and served on the Board of Express Scripts in St. Louis, MO. At the time of his death, Mr. Holden was still contributing to his community and his industry with Bernard Williams Insurance Services in Savannah.
Mr. Holden leaves behind an exhaustive legacy of community service including Past President of the Savannah Civitan and Kiwanis Clubs. He was a graduate of Leadership Savannah and a founding Board Member of the First City Club and served on the Executive Committee of the Savannah United Way Campaign. Mr. Holden was a past member of Savannah Rotary and Christ Church in Savannah.
Due to the current and ongoing public health concerns associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic, no memorial service will be held. Please join the family and friends of Mr. Holden in the online memorial forum at www.foxandweeks.com.
Mr. Holden will be buried in a private ceremony at Greenlawn Cemetery in Easley, SC.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Mr. Holden be memorialized through donations to the Salvation Army of the Coastal Empire, Savannah, GA.
So sorry for your loss. Roger was a great insurance Agent and friend. He will be missed.
- beverly king, Augusta, GA
A candle has been lit!
My condolences and prayers to Roger's family. The BWC family will miss him greatly.
- Kelli Gay, Puyallup, WA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. Roger's birthday and mine were on October 10. Sandy and I will certainly be remembering you all in the coming days. Love and Prayers!!!
- ted owens, Easley, South Carolina
Catherine, Caroline and Will, we are so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. He was a good friend and we have wonderful memories from the times we spent with all of you as children with your mom and dad. We will cherish his memory and keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Brian and Chantal Considine
- Considine, Savannah, GA
Will, Steele, Rachel and I are so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. We are sending condolences and healing thoughts your way.
- Steele Tankersley, Trina Embrey, Savannah, GA
Roger was a good and honest man. He was a trusted friend. I was blessed to have known him.
- Sandy Hagood, Easley , SC
I am so sorry for your loss. Roger was a great friend and business associate that helped me excel in my insurance career. He will be greatly missed.
- Barrie Ruland, Lincolnton , Georgia
Roger will be missed greatly. Your family will be in my thoughts & prayers during this difficult time.
- Melissa Neal & Family, Savannah, Georgia
Our condolences for your loss. Roger was well liked and respected by his friends and colleagues here at Bernard Williams & Company. He was both professional and considerate, and had keen insights and a great sense of humor. He is now in a better place, but will be missed. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
- Alan Williams, Savannah, GA
To the Holden Family, I worked with Roger for roughly two years, and although our paths did not cross all that often, he was always very nice. I'm very sorry for you loss and we're praying for your family! KC
- KC Andrews, Savannah, GA
My deepest sympathies go out to you. Roger gave me my first job when I moved to Savannah almost 22 years ago. He taught me so many things and I credit him with much of my success in life. He became a dear friend over the years and will be missed by many.
- Tracy Demarest, Richmond Hill, GA
I enjoyed sharing stories with Roger from the past years. His office was next to mine and we laughed often about daily life. Roger was helpful to our team and we will miss him.
- Rob and Jessica Bowden, Savannah , GA
I am so very sorry for your loss. Roger hired me right out of college and I gained so much knowledge and experience at Holden and Company, working with and for him. He gave me an opportunity to jump start my career and I will forever be grateful for him taking a chance on a new grad. He will be greatly missed in the Savannah community. His many friends and family are in my thoughts and prayers.
- Sherri Long, Rincon, Georgia
My love, thoughts and prayers are with you all! To say I will miss him is a great understatement. We texted February 14th. We've been close friends for over 50 years. Carol, please email me.
- Beth Ridley Simmons , Easley , SC
So sorry for your loss. Roger was very nice and I enjoyed talking to him when we happened to see each other at work. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
- Susie Quinney, Savannah, Georgia
Life won't be the same without my big brother, Roger. He was a good and honorable man. I learned, through his example, to explore beyond the horizon.
- Jim Holden, Beaufort, SC
Roger was such a nice person and a great colleague, he will be missed. Prayers for his many friends and family.
- Sandra Bockley , Atlanta , GA
Many good memories over the years from Greenville, SC to Savannah GA. Our condolences.
- James and Jane Garrison, Savannah, GA
May his memory be a blessing to his little brother Jim
- John Wilson, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Although I only knew Roger for the last 3 years that I worked with him at Bernard Williams & Company, I found him to be a thoughtful man with a dry sense of humor that I found entertaining. He was a humble man as I was not even aware of all of the ways he served his community over his life-time. I sincerely wish peace for his family during this difficult time and my condolences for his loss.
- Sandra Anthony, Savannah, Georgia
I was very surprised and saddened to see the Fathers Day posting of Roger’s death!! He and my husband,John, were close business associates as well as good friends!! We had the utmost respect for him personally and professionally!! He will be missed.
- Shan Ferguson, Folly Beach, SC
Roger was a good man. Many people benefited from his creativity, including me. I remember him for the dedication he had to is work, his clients and most of all to supporting his family.
- Terry Lemmons, Richmond Hill, Georgia
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200