William Harold Holbrook, 75, died Monday, July 25, 2011, at Lawnwood Medical Center in Ft. Pierce. He was a resident of Okeechobee for the past 20 years relocating from the Miami area.
During the mid 1950s he was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps and served as a pilot and refueler. In 1959 and 1960, Bill obtained a commercial pilots license and instrument rating. In 1962, he started with the FAA as an air traffic control specialist at the flight service stations in Key West, Hickory, N.C. and San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1965, he made a career change and became a specialist in the control tower. While still in San Juan, he obtained an instructor rating and became the instructor for the Navy Flying Club and the FAA Flying Club.
In 1966 he was hired by Eastern Airlines and in 1983 began serving as Captain on DC-9s, B-727s and the B-757s. Bill retired early from Eastern Airlines in 1989. Following his retirement, he flew for two far part 135 operators in Fairbanks, Alaska, and in Miami.
Along with flying, he also enjoyed fishing and model trains.
He is survived by his friends and caregivers, Tom and Jeanine Gran. Captain Bill will also be greatly missed by his River Acres family.
A private memorial service will be arranged at a future date.
Friends may send online condolences to www.buxtonseawinds.com