William John “Bingo Bill” Holena, Jr.
April 1, 1977 - February 5, 2021
William John “Bingo Bill” Holena, Jr., age 43, of Newark, DE, passed away suddenly on Friday, February 5, 2021.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, on April 1, 1977, he was the son of William John and Georgette J. (Chervenitski) Holena, Sr. of Edwardsville, PA. Bill was a 1995 graduate of Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes-Barre, PA and a 1999 graduate of Pennsylvania State University of University Park, PA, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development & Family Studies. He worked for MBNA and Bank of America for many years prior to making his most recent employment as a Vice President of Debit Card Operations for BNY Mellon in Wilmington.
Bill served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT for the Edwardsville (PA) Fire Dept., beginning in 1995. He served as a volunteer firefighter for Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Co., beginning in 2005, where he also served on the board of directors and spearheaded countless fundraising projects, including Monday Night Bingo. Bill was also a Canal Little League coach and served on the board of directors. He was a member of the Hiram Lodge No. 25 A.F. & A.M. and a noble with Nur Shrine in New Castle. Bill was newly initiated on January 27, 2021, into the Newark Elks Lodge No. 2281.
Bill was preceded in death by his infant brother, William Holena; fraternal grandparents, William and Joan Holena; and maternal grandparents, George and Henrietta Chervenitski. He is survived by his wife of over 20 years, Tamara A. (Kratz) Holena; daughters, Victoria and Veronica, both at home; sister, Jennifer Holena of Oceanside, CA; brothers-in-law, Timothy Kratz (Beth Ann) and Thomas Kratz (Leslie), both of Nanticoke, PA; and numerous nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 pm until 8 pm on Friday, February 12, 2021, at Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company – Station #8, 410 Ogletown Road, Newark, DE 19711, where a Masonic service will be held at 7:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 13, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church, 345 Bear Christiana Road, Bear, DE. Face masks will be required for all in attendance. Entombment will be held privately.
Any family members or friends who are unable to attend the Mass of Christian Burial, can live stream the service on Zoom via meeting ID 859 9584 8549 and password 120303.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Go Fund Me page for the Bill Holena Memorial Fund by clicking here.
Paula Barnes
Bill was an amazing coach and friend. My thoughts are with all his family and friends.
Peggy Townley
Dear Tamara & daughters, Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your loved one, Bill who left here way too soon. He will truly be missed. You are in our thoughts & prayers. Jon & Peggy Townley
Andrea
RIP Cousin Bill. You will be greatly missed. I am gonna go and pass my EMT test in honor of you. Love you buddy.
Sharon Davis
Tamara I am so sorry for your loss…. prayers are sent to you and your family
Susan Vikari
I am deeply saddened by this news. I worked with Bill for many years at MBNA and I can honestly say, he was such a funny and true and kind person. Prayers to the entire family during this sad time!
Michelle Maines
Tamara and family – you have been in my thoughts every day since Bill’s passing. I’m sending lots of prayers your way.
mary barlow
Rip my friend till we meet again a great man so sad you had to leave us too early still hard to believe
Carol Zitkevitz
So very sorry to hear of the sudden passing of Bill. He will be missed by many people at the bingo hall. Condolences to his family.
Benjamin Dontoh
My condolences Tamara.
Roseann Roseann Phillippe
Dear Tamara, Victoria and Veronica,
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Dale and Roseann Phillippe.
Pat Mack
It’s terrible to hear about your loss and I express my sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Mary Ives
So very sorry Tamara. Take care of yourself. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Brenda Kogoy
RIP Bill, prayers to your parents, Tamara and children. May God give you a good bed in heaven. You will surely be missed.
Johnnie and Terri Burns
Still can’t believe you are gone. You had so much life, laughter and love within you that you shared with all. Thoughts and prayers for the family. R.I.P. Bill we will all miss you so much.
Diana Campos
I am do sorry for your loss. Sending my thoughts and prayers for the family. Bill was a great co worker. Always willing to help and always in good spirits. He will be sorely missed. RIP Bill 🙏
Jim Malone
Bill was a good friend and a tireless worker for Aetna Hose, Hook, * Ladder Company. We will all miss his smile, his laugh, and his sense of humor.
Eugene Niland
GOOD BY OLD FRIEND!
PAUL ELDRIDGE
It was my pleasure to know Bill for 15 yrs at AETNA.
He moved on to his reward. RIP BROTHER
Leola Albright
Great guy. Will be missed by all who knew him.
Kesha golden
My condolences to Tamara and the Holena family. I worked with Bill in customer marketing. He was such s good spirit and easy going.
The Kemp Family
The world lost a good man too soon. May your hearts find peace in a time of deep sadness. We love you – Gayle, Pete and Gabby Kemp
Ed Sutton
Tamara I am sorry to hear of you lost. My most deepest sympathy and condolences to you and daughters. I’m my prayers always.
Ed Sutton
Rich B.
Bill was such an amazing spirit!! I remember how much fun we had in Mr. Zs class at St Nick’s. Many don’t know but Mr Z really enjoyed his company and nicknamed him “Wild Bill”!! He had one of the coolest nicknames between us. He will be missed. Very sorry for your loss.
Julie Goldston
Dear Tamara, Tori and Veronica, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I just can’t believe it. I still see Bill getting into his truck as I drive into the neighborhood. Sending comforting hugs to each of you during your time of grief. Julie
Jeffrey Stanski
I’m sorry for your loss, my condolences.
Paul Klemunes
Deeply saddened by this loss. My heart felt sympathies to the families.
Bill & Debi McDonald
We are so sorry for the loss of such a nice man! You will truly be missed, especially seeing you at bingo! Much prayers to his family!
Tanya and Dave Wilson
So sad to learn of Bill’s passing. He was a very dedicated member of Aetna. Glad he and Tori got to ride together and share that bond. Prayers for the family.
Isaac Arthur
My condolences to Tamara, the kids and the entire Holena family. Rest In Peace Bill. You’re sorely missed.
Elaine Lewis
I am so sorry for your loss. I met Bill at Aetna Bingo, as I was an Inspector for charitable gaming for the State of Delaware. A little later, he joined BNYMELON a few months later and worked with my husband Jim. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Brian Castner
Sending my condolences to all of Bill’s family. He was a great man that will be missed.
Beth Artman
Bill was always one of the nicest guys. It has been many years since I have seen him, but he was always a happy guy. He had a great smile. I am sure he was wonderful dad and husband. The pictures are beautiful. Prayers for your entire family. Heaven is sure lucky to have you.
R. J. Christian
I worked with Bill at MBNA in Dover all those years ago and am saddened greatly by hearing of his passing. I will always remember Bill as being a very kind and thoughtful person. He loved to hang his huge Chicago Bears fleece over his office cubicle. I also remember teasing about him being the “king of his castle” at home. He said: “R. J., I rank just below the cat in my house.” LOL. What a great guy! I extend my most sincere condolences to all of Bill’s family.
Alma Maciejczyk
Our deepest condolences to you Tamara, the girls and the rest of your family on the passing of Bill. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
With deepest sympathy,
Jeff, Alma,Aiden and Ryan Maciejczyk ❤
Chris Fagles
Tamara, Veronica and Victoria, as I’ve said and do many others have said, I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved husband, dad and best friend. He was a beautiful man with a beautiful soul who will live on within each of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers each day. Love you all, Miss Chris
Michelle D
I was so shocked and saddened to hear about Bill. He was a WONDERFUL manager and friend. When I lost my Bill he would check in on me. Tam, if there is anything I can do for you and your girls please don’t hesitate to ask. Unfortunately I know to well about loosing a spouse. Bill, may you R.I.P. 🙏 You will be truly missed 😢
Taifa Gilmer
My heartfelt condolences to the Holena family. Bill was an amazing man!
Lee Gray
Bill will be missed by the Lodge and I
Enjoyed his company and working with
him as his instructor.
Lee Gray
Nancy Lee
God bless you!
You will never be forgotten B!
Nanc
Tabitha Humphreys
My heart goes out to Tamara, the girls, and the rest of Bill’s family. He is gone way too soon and way too young. I hope that your loving memories will be a balm to the pain of your loss.
Christine Walton
Tamara I am so sorry to see this sad news today. Prayers for you and your family
Douglas Waiter
May the light and love of God surround you and your families during this most difficult and healing time. Namaste 🙏🏻. Much love ❤️. I will always remember you saying “Not much” in the Sweet Georgia Brown song that chorus sang in our Freshman Year at Bishop Hoban for the Spring Concert 🎶.
Michelle Fournier
Rest In Peace Billy. I will never forget get you. Prayers to Tamara, Victoria and Veronica. I am so very sorry for your loss. Billy was a very caring person. I will never forget how he was there for me when I was diagnosed with Cancer.
Debbie Kearney
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort for all .
Delphine
My deepest condolences. May God bless your family and continue to remember you always. Rest easy my friend.
Monica Bostic-Bradley
Tamara and family…my heart is heavy with the passing of Bill (aka Billy Ho)…he was such an amazing person, husband, father, best friend and colleague… I will treasure my memories of our days at MBNA in Customer Activation/Customer Marketing…we were two peas in a pod when it came to managing our teams…Mom Barry always made sure we were fed healthy & well…& of course we ordered wings from Amore’s all the time…even when we both moved onto new roles within Bank of America we stayed in touch…always willing to do whatever we could to help our customers…so many fun work memories…no words can take away your pain in his passing but please know that he would not want any of us to be sad…celebrate the incredible person he was and will continue to be in heaven…our thoughts and prayers will be with all of you…with deepest sympathy, Monica, Jim, and Ava
Dawn Zack
Bill, You will be greatly missed. 💔
Save my seat!
Tamara, Veronica and Victoria, you ladies have my heartfelt condolences. ❤
Rick Bouchelle
Still in shock over Bills passing, a great man and friend gone way too soon ! The world may be a bit dimmer here on earth without him but the heavens are definitely brighter ! Hugs and prayers to Tamara, Victoria and Veronica from Lori and I. He will be sorely missed !! Rick and Lori Bouchelle
Julie blackwell
Still so hard to believe. My heart breaks for Tamara and the girls. So many people were blessed to have Bill in their lives. Such an amazing guy and co-worker. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. 💕
Carol Pulgini
RIP Bill…Tamara, Tom and I are so so sorry for your loss! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls💗💗💗
Jean strong
I had to go by the banquet hall sign three times then google his name before I could believe he is gone. I am legacy MBNA and BOA. I am devastated. Billy is so special! My deepest sympathy to his family.
Mark Hansen
Tamara and family, Bill was one of the first firefighters that I met when I joined Aetna H,H&L. We became good friends and it was always good to know that Bill was there during a response. He became very involved with Aetna H,H&L and was a true example of our motto Service For Others. I miss Bill. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time of loss. My God Bless you all.
Michael Lall
Dear Tamara, I am so sorry for your loss. Bill was truly an amazing guy. I remember fondly all the good times we had. I will never forget him. My prayers are with you, your daughters and the entire family.
Mandi and Joe Roccia
Sorry to hear about the loss of Bill. He was such a warm and friendly guy, and our go-to person when we were in the same department at Bank of America. I once had a seizure at work, and Bill was ready to run over several buildings to come to my aid. Now that is going above and beyond!
To his family, may his memories bring you peace. Bill, you will never be forgotten.