The Holt Family began in funeral service in the early 1920’s, when Cecil and Evelyn Holt purchased the McCandless Mansion in Florence, Colorado and operated Home Mortuary. Cecil and Evelyn’s son, William Cecil, was raised in the apartment above the funeral home, and eventually took over the business.

At the request of some Canon City residents 10 miles away, he began Holt Mortuary on Macon Avenue in Canon City, Colorado in 1939. William (Bill Sr.) and his wife Grace operated the mortuary along with an ambulance service, and were one of the first in the 1940’s to operate an air service. Bill Sr. secured his pilots license as a young man, and scattered cremains by air. Bill Sr. was also a leader in the technical aspects of funeral service, and had his own recording studio, where he could cut his own records of funeral services to give to families. 

Bill and Grace’s son, Bill Jr., joined his parents in the business in 1961 after graduating from the University of Northern Colorado and Mortuary Science College in Dallas. He also received his commercial pilots license and started an air charter service in the mid 1960’s. The Funeral Home employed other pilots and in the 1960’s had a large business that transported human remains all over the United States, as well as being under contract to transport escapees back to the State Penitentiary in Canon City.

Fourth generation family members now help to operate the family business, including Beth Holt Madone in Canon City and William Holt 111 (Trey) in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Trey is also the elected Coroner for Garfield County, serving in his 4th term.  

Throughout the generations of funeral service, the Holt family has kept the ideal to provide the highest level of professional and compassionate service to each family they serve. They have always understood that it is not only their responsibility, but a privilege like no other, to assist someone through perhaps the most difficult physical, emotional, and spiritual journey they may take.

The path of grief is sacred ground, and it is our responsibility and our privilege to walk with you to make it easier.

As of July 2010 Holt Family Funeral Home purchased Shadow Hills Country Club in Canon City. With that purchase it gives families the choice to use a full service reception center with seating for 200 guests and a full bar.

Also coming in the spring of 2011 is the Holt Family Funeral Home Pet Services. We will be offering a funeral home and cemetery for pet services.