More than 137 years after his tragic end, William A. “Hunkydory” Holmes, a prominent Arizona pioneer and early settler of Globe, finally has a headstone to mark his resting place in Globe Cemetery.
In November 1889, Holmes was a deputy under Sheriff Glenn Reynolds when both were killed by prisoners they were escorting.
“The two men who fell together, in the performance of a perilous duty, were together laid to rest,” the Arizona Silver Belt reported.
Leon Garlinghouse of Globe and Avery Frantz of Phoenix, members of the Sons of the Confederacy, set about requesting a headstone for Holmes, a Confederate veteran, from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“He went 137 years without a marker,” said Garlinghouse. “It was kind of a lost grave. We just felt he needed the recognition for all he did for our area.”
It took four tries to achieve that goal. After three rejections, a 2025 appeal by Frantz was approved and the headstone was ordered. Garlinghouse said one hurdle in the process was a fire that had destroyed mortuary documents on Holmes.
The new headstone was received earlier this year and dedicated on June 20. The dedication included a summary of Holmes' life and achievements by Gila County Historical Museum Director Robert Bigando; an invocation by Jeri McAnerny, of the United Daughters of the Confederacy; and recognition of Holmes' Civil War service by John Rogers, of the Sons of the Confederacy.
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