YOUNGSTOWN - A. William Holdford, 91, died Sept. 8, 2014, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center.

Mr. Holdford was born Dec. 4, 1922, in Youngstown, a son of William and Mary King Holdford.

He was a 1939 Boardman High School graduate. Bill went on to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Youngstown State University and later his Master’s from Westminster College. He started his teaching career at McDonald and Butler Schools and retired from Volney Rogers, where he taught and coached for 37 years.

Bill also worked at Etna Standard, General Fireproofing, Stambaugh Thompson, and Youngstown City Parks as a park policeman.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II. He was in the 82nd Airborne Division and the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

Bill was a member of the Martin Luther Lutheran Church. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, softball, ice skating, YSU Athletics, his convertible, and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his wife of 66 years before she passed away.

His wife, Virginia Holdford, whom he married Sept. 11, 1946, died Oct. 28, 2012.

He is survived by one son, William (Millie) Holdford of Hubbard; one daughter, Susan D. (David) Hays of N. Fort Myers, Fla.; one brother, Arthur (Patricia Liddle) Holdford of Columbus; six grandchildren, Toni Osbourne, Amy (Jerry) Schmall, Michael (Mary Beth) Holdford, Brian (Ashleigh) Holdford, Melissa (Jeffrey) Miller, and Amanda Hays; eight great-grandchildren, Joey, Abby, Kyle, Braden, Matthew, Gavin, Olivia, and Addisyn; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will be gathering at a later date to celebrate his life and share wonderful memories of a well-loved man.

Ashes and grave marker for Albert W. Holdford in Acacia Plot, Lot 215, Grave 4 of the Tod Homestead Cemetery, Youngstown (Mahoning county), Ohio

Albert enlisted in the Army at Fort Hayes, Columbus, OH on 9 October 1942.

On 16 October 1942 Pvt Holdford was transferred to Company A, 508th PIR.

He was promoted from Pvt to T/5 on 22 March 1943.