Hello Holmes family. We are so sorry to just learn about the passing of our dear friend Willy Holmes. My name is George Makinto  and my  wife Mukarabe Makinto is sharing the grief with me.  I met Willie in Ivory Coast and we spent many years listening, playing, discussing and organizing Jazz and concerts together. When he was the cultural attaché of the US embassy in Ivory Coast, we spent many nights of Jazz with my band and other musicians swinging the night away. He facilitated my participation at the 13th Zola Neal Hurston festival in Eatonville ( must have been around 2002, I added the article of the performance that Willie facilitated ) and we spoke regularly until few years ago about music, performances, collaboration, even played together somewhere in Jersey at one point (probably around 2000).  He was a very dear brother to me and one of my elders and mentors. We laughed a lot together and his humor and wit was always refreshing. We will remember him fondly and miss him tremendously. May his jazz soul swing in peace ! George and Mukarabe and family ( living in Los Angeles) 

I was [ so empty when I heard the news of Willie's passing. Because he passed the same day we buried his baby sister.😭 I was devastated as to how much more we as a family could take in one given time. My heart is aching, empty and full at the same time; knowing it’s only one sibling left…. My MOM!! My heart hurts for her!!!!

But, you know how you always say to yourself when someone you love or even know dies;   I wish I had more time!!!!! Time can never be borrowed, negotiated, bought, stolen or even WISHED for.  In my opinion; “ Time is more Precious than Money! 

I enjoyed my time traveling to Orlando visiting my uncle with my son, nieces and friends ever year in the early nineties attending the Florida Classic, enjoying the battle of the bands, going shopping and definitely EATING out with Uncle Willie!!! I’m going to miss his smile, his love of Jazz music, and definitely his reverting to French in the middle of our conversations! 😂.  His Zest for life was very infectious!!!! 

Time!!!! I wish I had more time with you Uncle Willie!!! I Love You !  I will miss you. You are gone now, but will NEVER be forgotten. R. I. P.! I know you might be playing in Heavens Jazz band Now!😘🥰

Rest in Peace Uncle Willie. You will be missed dearly. Love you always & forever.😭❤

My heart goes out to you and your family. With deepest sympathy on the loss of your loved one.  It is hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember.  Wishing you strength and comfort through this difficult time.... Blessings, George & Jackie Marshall

To my beloved Unlce Willie I was truly shock that you left us you  I truly going to miss you every time you came to Miami you and your family  alway you bring the cold  weather I will always remember that beautiful  SMILE  I going  saying something in french  uncle Willie MAY YOU REST HEAVENLY LOVE YOU FROM YOUR NIECE TANGELA..

Hello Tristen. Thank you for letting us know. So sorry to hear about this loss. I meet Willie for the first time on my second overseas tour of duty in Yaoundé. To me Willie was too cool for words!: a U.S. diplomat, a jazz musician, and a more than fluent francophone, and a brother, all in one package! Rebecca and I plan to be in Fort Lauderdale area in early January after attending Jazz Education Network conference in Orlando. (It was Willie who turned me on to JEN’s predecessor organization the IAJE.) We were planning to visit with Willie after the conference.

My uncle was always an absolute joy to be around. I always admired the way in which he lived life to the fullest. He inspired me to travel the world and chase my dreams. I will miss him dearly, but his words of wisdom and adventurous spirit will live with me forever. 

Mannn this came so fast. One thing about and two things for sure. My uncle LIVED LIFE! I always admired his talent for music, he was a social butterfly. I had the opportunity to live with him for about two months… and Mann was it fun. I will always remember you uncle Willie I love you S.I.P