William Holder
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Ret. Col. William Lyles Holder, Sr, age 90 of Ellijay, GA previously of Marietta, GA passed on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at home with his family. "Bill" was born October 5, 1930 in Nashville, Tennessee to his late parents Dr. Harry Alfonso and Margaret (Pierce) Holder. Bill graduated from Fletcher High School, Jacksonville, FL in 1949. He attended the University of FL and joined the FL Air National Guard while in college. Two years after attending the University he was called to active duty to the Korean war. He was stationed in California for some time where he was able to attend the University of New Mexico and graduate with a degree in Weather Forecasting. For Bill's extraordinary achievement and outstanding airmanship he was awarded the highly coveted Distinguished Flying Cross. He was awarded the Air Medal and the First and Second Oak Leaf clusters to the Air Medal also. Bill had flown fifty missions at this time. After his enlistment of four years he joined the GA Air National Guard, Dobbins AFB, Marietta, GA. He retired with 40 years military service and as Commander of the 116th Resource Management Squadron. He was a member of the Cartecay United Methodist Church. Bill was active in the choir as he was blessed with a beautiful tenor voice. Bill is preceded in death by his daughter Janet Lynne Holder, sister Anne Pierce Holder, brothers James P. Holder, Harry Holder.
Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years Nancy Virginia "Ginger" (Bell) Holder of Ellijay, GA, daughters Elizabeth Anne and Rev. Mark McLendon of Rome, GA, Jennifer Rasmussen of Canton, OH, son William Lyles, Jr, and Maria Holder, of Ocala, FL, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, nephew and niece also survive.
Visitation will be Tuesday, November 24, 2020 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 1:00 pm at the Logan Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mark McLendon officiating and Alan Davenport providing music. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Compassus Hospice & Palliative Care of Ellijay, GA, due to the compassionate and caring ministry we received from them. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.loganfuneralhome.com. Logan Funeral Home & Chapel in charge of arrangements.