William G. Holland (Bill), distinguished public servant, loving father, and adoring grandfather, died peacefully surrounded by family at his home in Seattle, Washington on August 10, 2024. He was 72. 
 
Bill was born in Joliet, Illinois, on November 22, 1951, to Edward James Holland and Jane Murdock Holland. Raised in Prairie Village, Kansas, he was the fifth of six children. In 1970, he moved to Seattle to attend Seattle University, graduating in 1974 with a degree in Public Affairs. While at Seattle University, Bill met Liz Meagher, currently Liz Bernahl, and the two married after graduation. They later divorced, but remained friends until his death and together raised three beautiful children. 
 
Bill worked proudly in public service to the state of Illinois for 41 years. Early in his career, Bill served as director of the Illinois House Majority Appropriations Committee Staff and the first director of the Illinois General Assembly’s Washington D.C. Office. In 1983, he was appointed chief of staff for Illinois Senate President, Phillip J. Rock, a position he held for nearly 10 years. 
 
In 1992 Bill was appointed Illinois Auditor General by the 87th Illinois General Assembly. As the state’s longest-serving auditor general, Bill’s career spanned the administrations of five governors, five state treasurers, and six state comptrollers, earning him a reputation for fairness, objectivity, and high ethical standards. He loved each day as Auditor General, and was quick to deflect credit and recognition to his staff and their hard work.
 
As Auditor General, Bill was a committed member of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT), serving as its President and ultimately being inducted into the NASACT Hall of Fame in 2022. Bill cherished the many friends he made over the course of his career. He retired from public service in 2015. 
 
While Bill loved his work in state government, he was most proud of his three children, their spouses, and his seven grandchildren. Known for his sense of humor, his favorite and most frequent punch line was himself. He was a skillful handyman, principled gin player, above-average golfer (at times), fervent Fighting Illini basketball fan, dedicated saloon enthusiast, and consummate good neighbor. 
 
After his diagnosis of colon cancer, Bill moved to Seattle to live his best life near his children and grandchildren. Never one to complain, Bill plowed through cancer, finding joy working on house projects, attending sporting events and playing cards with his grandkids, re-discovering Seattle on an electric bike, and watching the ships come into port from his living room window overlooking the Puget Sound. 
 
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Edward James Holland and Jane Murdock Holland. He is survived by his siblings, Edward James Holland, Jr. (Bridget), James Holland (Julie), Mary Schmidt (Chuck), Jack Holland (Karen), and Jan Stacy (Jim); his children, Meghan Squires (Greg), Tom Holland (Catherine), and Jack Holland; and grandchildren, Madeleine, Maggie, Lydia, Johnny Holland and Charlotte, Rudy and Peter Squires. Bill’s legacy of family, friendship, good humor and doing-the-right-thing will be carried forward by his family and friends. 
 
Bill will be remembered as a public leader of high integrity, a dear friend to many, and a father and grandfather full of wise cracks and wisdom. 
 
His children, Meghan, Tom and Jack, will host a Memorial Party in Springfield in the fall. Details T.B.D. 
 
Memorial contributions may be made to the PJR Center and School Foundation.