William F. Held passed away peacefully on July 31, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 93.
Born on March 16, 1932, in St. Louis to William Henry and Dorothy Ruth (Wiedner) Held, Bill grew up in the Bevo Mill neighborhood and attended Long School before graduating from Cleveland High School in January 1951. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout and later served his country with honor in Korea as a member of the U.S. Army.
Bill was married to Jeanette Dorothy (Sellmann) for 66 years. Together, they raised seven children in the home he built in Crestwood, Missouri: Kimberly (Gary) Tappana of Glendale, MO; William II (Karen) of Andover, MA; Susan (Craig) Eilermann of Columbia, TN; Deborah (John) Priest of Ozark, MO; Jeffery (Jennifer) of St. Louis, MO; Steven of St. Louis, MO; and Kristin Held (Scott Byassee) of University City, MO.
He was a proud grandfather to Lauren (Matthew), Daniel, Allison, Anna, Ethan (Anna), Ryan (Reiley), Abigail (Robert), Robert, David, Cella, and Vivienne; and great-grandfather to Molly, Ruby, Dorothy, Leighton, and soon-to-be Madelyn. His brother and best friend, Louis, held a special place in his life.
A lifelong builder and craftsman, Bill owned his own remodeling and construction company. He was a dedicated community volunteer, constructing ball field backstops and school playgrounds, organizing school PTO events, coaching youth sports with Crestwood Khoury League and Affton baseball and JFL football, and serving as a Lindbergh School District board member.
Bill spent many an evening after work playing games with kids in the backyard and teaching baseball skills. He loved fishing, woodworking – especially wood turning – gardening and canning. He built two lake homes at Lake of the Ozarks and cheered faithfully for the Cardinals and Rams. He was a friend to hummingbirds and a man who worked hard and did his best.
Service and burial will be private. A reception to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, August 11, at the house that Bill built. Contact a family member for details. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lindbergh School District.
Time to rest, Pop.
Wow,,amazing what one man,,husband and father can accomplish in a life time, Our country could use a few million more Bill Helds!
My condolences to the Held family on your loss.
Mr. Held was as kind a man as you could ever hope to meet. He had a one of a kind smile and laugh, and was always there for the kids in the neighborhood. I was one of those kids for whom he built the backstop at Sappington School and I think of him every time I drive past the school.
Even in adulthood, he was there to help me build out my basement. We spent a good portion of the summer together doing the work and he was still the ever patient teacher and coach.
I am greatful for the chance to have known him and I shall miss him.