A. William Holmberg Jr., Former Newspaper Executive, Dies at 81

A. William Holmberg Jr., newspaper executive, civic leader, and former chief business officer of the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Times from 1971 until its sale in 1999, died July 26 at the age of 81.

The New York Times reports that the cause of death was complications of pulmonary disease.

According to the paper, Holmberg began his career as the circulation manager for the New York Times. He was also the general manager of its Western edition.

Holmberg initially came to Chattanooga in 1969 to be an adviser to the Chattanooga Times. In 1970 he was promoted to the role of executive in charge of the paper's business side, including production, advertising, and circulation. In 1980, when the Times and the Chattanooga News-Free Press established a joint operating agreement, he became the Times' principal representative in the business deal.

Over the years, Holmberg also served many Chattanooga civic organizations. He was president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Chattanooga Symphony Association. He also acted as chairman of the Baroness Foundation of Erlanger Medical Center, board member of Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga, and the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, and was a charter board member of the Tennessee Aquarium.