WIlliam Wallace Holmes

William Wallace Holmes, a World War II veteran, died August 6, 2013, at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount. Mr. Holmes was born June 1, 1922 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to parents Muriel Cann Holmes and William Wilfred Holmes. Mr. Holmes was raised in New England. He returned to Canada after high school where he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and trained to be a pilot. In 1942, he was sent to England as a pilot for the bomber command of the British Royal Air Force. He flew the Lancaster Bomber on 32 missions over Germany and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by the British Command. While stationed in England, he met his future bride, Vera Florence Gibson of Surrey, England. They were married after the war in Asheville, NC at Trinity Episcopal Church on June 15, 1946. In 1953, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes moved to Rocky Mount. Here, Mr. Holmes co-founded Seaboard Foods with his associate John Dubel. Mr. Holmes eventually became sole owner of Seaboard Foods, Incorporated, and the business expanded to become the largest distributor of General Foods on the East coast. In 1986, he sold the company and retired to Naples, Florida. Mr. Holmes was an astute businessman who served on many boards in Rocky Mount, including Peoples Bank and Trust, Harris Cuthrell, and the Salvation Army. He was also a Mason, a Shriner, and a member of the Rocky Mount Kiwanis club. A life-long member of The Good Shepherd, Mr. Holmes was also a founding member of Christ Church, an Episcopalian mission, where he served as both Junior and Senior Warden. Mr. Holmes enjoyed the beach and boating, and loved to fish. He also enjoyed dinners at the club, golfing, and travelling with Vera. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Mr. Holmes is survived by his daughter, Jennell H. Harris and son-in-law, J. Frank Harris of Burlington; his son, Michael W. Holmes, of Goldsboro; his granddaughter Hannah C. Baggett, and grandson-in-law, Russell A. Baggett, of Raleigh; his sister-in law, Doreen Gibson, of Rocky Mount; and his nieces, Lauren Caldwell and Muriel Kdan. Mr. Holmes was pre-deceased by his sister, Betty Holmes Kdan. The family wishes to thank Sam Jones and Angie Lynch for their care and concern for Mr. Holmes. A funeral for Mr. Holmes will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Rocky Mount on Saturday, August 10 at 11:00 am. The family will welcome friends at the home, 7 Golden Eye Cove, Goose Creek, on Friday, August 9, between 5:00 and 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in the name of Mr. Holmes to Habitat for Humanity of Rocky Mount at 1400 W. Raleigh Blvd, Rocky Mount, NC 27803, or The Church of the Good Shepherd in Rocky Mount. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Location Not Available Friday 8/9, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Service Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church 231 N. Church Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-442-1134 --> | Saturday 8/10, 11:00 am