FIFTH GENERATION

236. William Holyman ⁽²⁹⁾ was born on 23 Jul 1858 in Torquay, Tasmania, Australia. He died on 29 Sep 1921 in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. He was buried on 1 Oct 1921 in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
General Australian Dictionary of Biography;

William, more settled than his brother Tom, saw his future in the family ships and from that commitment he never wavered. For six years he learned the ropes; then the purchase in 1877 of the ketch Catherine made it possible for him to take over Colleen Bawn, a converted schooner bought in 1874 and destined to be the `mother' of the Holyman fleet. William married Honora Ballard on 1 January 1878 at Launceston according to the forms of the
Independent Church, and his first voyage as master was also his honeymoon. There followed years of growth and consolidation: the flag of the Holyman White Star Line became well established. Holyman senior retired from the sea in 1886 to manage the business ashore, sailing ships were gradually replaced by steamers, and in 1899 the head office was moved to Launceston. In 1901, on his father's complete retirement, young William took over the management. It was a time of intense competition between Holymans, the Union Steamship Co. of New Zealand Ltd and Huddart Parker & Co. Ltd. leading, over the ensuing forty years to the registration of Wm Holyman & Sons Ltd, Holymans Pty Ltd, Holyman Bros Pty Ltd, James Holyman Pty Ltd, and other proprietary companies. William Holyman junior died on 29 September 1921 of co onary vascular disease two years after his father, at his home in Launceston. He was survived by his wife who, having devoted much time to charitable
work, was appointed M.B.E. after World War I, and by four of their six sons and five of their seven daughters. His daughter Love, who had `embraced the Roman Catholic religion', was excluded from his will which divided among the family an estate valued for probate at almost 60,000 pounds.

He was married to Honora Ballard on 1 Jan 1878 in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. Honora Ballard⁽²⁹⁾ was born on 18 Sep 1859 in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. She died on 27 Jan 1932 in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. She was buried on 29 Jan 1932 in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.

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Last modified: Tuesday, 17 February, 2009