Mr. William Holmes entered into rest on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Funeral service will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Baptist Church. Interment will be at Mt. Olive Memorial Gardens. William accepted Christ at an early age and joined Macedonia Baptist Church where he remained a faithful and devoted member serving diligently as Chairman of the Finance Ministry. He was educated in the Richmond County Public School System, attending Silas X. Floyd School and graduating from Lucy C. Laney High School in 1959. He furthered his education at Paine College, where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Bachelor of Science degree in Science. William began his teaching career in 1964 at Weed Academy and later taught at Sand Bar Ferry Elementary School. He then transitioned into social work with the Visiting Teacher Services while pursuing advanced degrees. He earned a Master of Education in School Social Work and Administration/Supervision, followed by an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Administration/Supervision from the University of Georgia. In 1975, William returned to his alma mater, Lucy C. Laney High School, as Assistant Principal under Mr. Dennis Wilds for ten years. In 1985, he made history as the first Laney graduate to become the school's principal for eleven years, capping a remarkable 21-year tenure at Laney. His 37 years of service to the Richmond County School System also included roles as Coordinator of School Social Workers, Principal of John W. Houghton Elementary School during the construction of Craig-Houghton Elementary, and as the final Principal of National Hills Elementary School. After retirement, he served as the Chairman/Chairperson for the Richmond County School System's Tribunal Board. Beyond his educational leadership, William was active in many professional and civic organizations. He served on the Augusta Advisory Board for Peach State Federal Credit Union, the Board of Directors for both the Haines Alumni Association and the Lucy C. Laney National Alumni Association and retired after 20 years of service with Georgia Local Board #30 of the Selective Service System. His affiliations included the Richmond County Principal's Association, Richmond County Association of Educators, Georgia Association of Educators, National Education Association, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Augusta Officials Association (Football Section), Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., National Notary Association of America, and the NAACP. William Holmes was a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and was recognized in 2017 for 50 years of membership. In 2019, he was inducted into the Lucy C. Laney Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to his lifelong service in education and the community. Preceding him in death were his parents Aaron and Bessie Holmes, his wife LaVerne Dorman Holmes and brother, Arthur Holmes. He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving son, Lynwood William Holmes; sister, Loretta Fountain; brothers, John T. Holmes, Flint, MI, Eddie (Mary) Holmes, and Rev. Clarence (Sarah) Grier; sister-in-law, Jessye Walker, Ft. Valley, GA; brother-in-law, Dr. Linneaus C. Dorman, Midland, MI; nieces, Pamela (Donald) Yancy, Priscilla Holmes, Nicole Dockery, Memphis, TN, Phaedra Bing, Francine (Floyd) Dunn, Chandrian Holmes, Atlanta, GA , Keisha (Grant) Cobb, Kimberly Fountain; nephews, Eddie Holmes Jr., Clarence E. Grier Jr. , Athens, GA; adopted daughters, Wanda Cave, Valerie Green and Sylvia Burns; goddaughters, Dr. Kelli (William) Ashe-Buchanan, Coconut Creek, FL, Jameka and Jakesha Gardner, Appling, GA, Sadiqa Diggs; godsons, Daryl (Felicia) Harris and Jerald Smith; adevoted cousin, Beaulah Mayers; a devoted friend and caregiver, Elder Frank White; a lifelong friend, Deloris Trotty; along with a host of cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family, many dear friends, and a devoted community of Lucy C. Laney "Wildcats". Mr. Holmes was a man of great faith, quiet strength and enduring commitment to his family, community, and calling. His legacy will continue to live on in the many lives he touched. Mr. Holmes may be viewed on Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Williams Funeral Home, 2945 Old Tobacco Road, Hephzibah, GA Visitation Thursday, August 7, 2025 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Williams Funeral Home 2945 Old Tobacco Road Hephzibah,GA 30815 Funeral Service Friday, August 8, 2025 11:00 AM Good Shepherd Baptist Church 1714 Olive Road Augusta,GA 30906