Wilbur Gale "Will" Holladay

Wilbur Gale "Will" Holladay passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2016. Born in Newton, Mississippi, on 4/23/1924, to the late William Byron Holladay and Lydia Belle Bounds Holladay, Will's depression-era upbringing as the eldest of six siblings instilled traits of responsibility, hard work, and thrift that served him throughout his life. Completing public schools in Newton at the height of World War II, Will was inducted into the U.S. Army and served in the South Pacific. After the war's end, he took advantage of the G.I. Bill to enroll at Mississippi College, where he met and married Kitty Paula Fain, with whom he enjoyed 58 years of marriage before her death in 2006. Also predeceased is his sister, Frances Amis; brother, Curtis Oneal Holladay; and brother-in-law, Robert A. Miller. He is survived by his two children, Timothy Byron Holladay and his wife, Nancy of Titusville, FL, and Tamara Gay Thomas and her husband, Dr. Harold Thomas of Portland, OR; grandchildren, Keith Holladay, Greg Holladay, Kerri Cox, Benjamin Paul Thomas and Christina Ann Thomas; great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; sisters, Mildred Holladay Valentine, Lake Placid, Florida and Jennie Lee Holladay Brady, New Orleans, Louisiana; Bobbie Jean Holladay Miller, Lake Placid, Florida; brother-in-law, A.B. Amis; sister-in-law, Agnes Holladay of Melbourne, FL; one aunt, Sarah Massey, from Meridian, Mississippi; numerous nieces and nephews; and Roberta "Bert" Garrett who has been his loving companion since 2009. Earning a B.S. Degree from Mississippi College and a later Master's of Arts from George Peabody College, Will's career was in public and private education in Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia, where he served as a teacher, principal, Assistant Superintendent of Personnel in Brevard County Florida Schools; Director of Personnel at Miami Dade Community College, Miami, Florida; and Director of Personnel at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, from which he retired at age 62. Among professional honors accorded him were representative from schools on the Professional Practices Council of the State of Florida, President of the Personnel Association of Greater Miami, and Chairperson of the Southern Region of the College and University Personnel Association. He was also appointed and served on the National Accreditation Board for Schools and Organizations that serve the Visually Handicapped. Will always sought to involve himself actively in church and civic/service organizations wherever his career took him, and even after retirement found opportunities to serve by teaching safe driving courses for seniors, etc. Since moving to Macon in 1981, Will had been a member of Vineville Baptist Church, where he had served as a deacon. Funeral services will be held at Riverside United Methodist Church on Monday, February 1, 2016 at 10:00AM. Burial will be private at Riverside Cemetery. Family will greet friends at the Cupola on Sunday, January 31, 2016 between 4:00-6:00PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Riverside United Methodist Church, 735 Pierce Avenue, Macon, Georgia 31204. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.