William Michael Holt

Mike, Big Mike, Uncle Mike, Michael… was born William Michael Holt on October 29th, 1945. He was the first of three children born to the union of the late Della Mae and William Oliver Lee Holt.  Michael grew up with his younger sister Mary Michele Baker (Richard) and brother Frank Oliver Holt (Maria), on E.86th and Cedar in the heart of Cleveland, Ohio.

Although Michael was a mischievous child, he was also a natural caregiver, mentor, guardian, and hero to his younger brother and sister.  Whether teaching his little brother how to box, or sneaking his sister an early look at her Christmas presents, they built a strong bond that has sustained through the years.

It was in this household that Michael learned the tenets of giving and caring that fostered all the friendships that he created in the close-knit neighborhood where he grew up.  These friendships are lifelong and exist to this day. When Michael wasn’t winning foot races in the street, he would spend his summers in southern Ohio visiting his Aunt Mary.

Michael attended Bolton Elementary and Rawlings Junior High School before attending high school at East Technical. It was in high school where Michael began to develop his love of words, often challenging his friends with a word of the day.  It was guaranteed that a letter from Michael would send you reaching for your dictionary. This affinity extended to prose and poetry, continuing throughout his life as he would often have a crossword puzzle in hand and a new word to text to a friend.

At East Tech, Michael joined the social group, The Nobles, and due to his unequivocal cool, he continued to create lifelong friendships with people from all walks of life.

Michael graduated from high school in 1964, but he didn’t wait until graduation to start hustling in the workforce. He worked at both A&P grocery store as a stock boy and at the local bowling alley as a pin setter while he was still in high school.

Michael married his childhood sweetheart, Arleenia Matherison, in 1970.  This union bore one son, Malcolm Thamarr Holt.  Although they divorced many years later, they remained close friends and fantastic parents.

Michael frequently extended himself in the service of others, especially to young people.  One of his proudest moments was when he was a scout leader for the Boy Scouts of America.

Similarly, Michael found his most fulfilling employment when he began working for Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries.  For almost 30 years he was employed in some capacity with the organization.  His responsibilities ranged from Office Manager to Case Manager/Youth Advocate for their Youth Re-Entry Program. This position allowed Michael to directly affect the lives of challenged youth in a positive and life altering way, by “pleading their cause” and never giving up on them.

Even after leaving that position, Michael’s desire to connect with people never waned, as in his later years he took up a part time job driving for Uber, where even strangers were immediately drawn in by his eternal charisma and charm.

Michael has always kept his mind and body active.  He became a proficient Bridge player and could often be found working out at Shaker Lakes or riding his bike, doing yoga in his living room, or hitting the heavy bag in his basement gym.

Michael was a “SURVIVR” and an advocate of self-improvement, who strove to live his best life.  He had an effortless style and swag that was all his own.  When he walked in the room he greeted you directly and personably and often by a nickname that he organically created just for you. 

He will be missed… as a friend, as an uncle, as a cousin, as a brother, and as a father.

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