Watch the Funeral Service.
Mr. Wade Hampton Holder Jr., 83, went to be with his God and Savior
the Lord Jesus Christ on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, after battling
pancreatic cancer. Throughout his full life and numerous passions,
Wade was consumed with an intense desire that everyone he encountered
would discover the joy of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Born the 11th of 12 children in the family home in Harnett County on
December 12, 1927, Wade, known then as W.H., was son to Wade Hampton
and Flora Stewart. In 1945, he graduated from Boone Trail High School
and UNC in 1950.
Upon graduation, Wade was drafted into the US Army during the Korean
War. After his discharge, Wade completed his MA in Education and began
a teaching career where he met the love of his life, Ms. Anna Ruth Lee
of Fayetteville another teacher. After courting, Wade married Ruth on
December 28, 1961. Wade faithfully poured his life into the lives of
his students. His students understood 3 things about Mr. Holder—he
loved Jesus, the Bible on his desk, and them. Wade retired from the
Fort Bragg School system after 28 years.
A true Tar Heel fan, Wade loved sports. As a member of the NCAOA, Wade
refereed football, basketball, and baseball and continued being
involved even after retiring as a supervisor. Wade also loved
checkers—it wasn’t just a game for him. He competed in tournaments in
19 states. On tournament Sundays, Wade would lead a morning worship
service where he would faithfully testify of the gospel of Jesus
Christ.
From nearly the beginning of Berean Baptist Church, Wade was a
faithful member and deacon. For 26 years, he taught the Bible at the
Towers West Retirement Home, but Wade was much more than a teacher. He
was their lay pastor. He celebrated birthdays, made hospital visits,
took members to doctor appointments, and preached funerals. He loved
the residents of Towers West and they loved him. Wade also served as a
Gideon for 3 decades and led monthly worship services at the NC
Veteran’s Nursing Home for many years. All who knew Wade knew that he
loved people and will remember him as a man who never had a cross word
to say about anyone. Like his Lord and Savior, Wade always “went about
doing good.” The family sorrows but not like “others which have no
hope” 1 Thessalonians 4:13. Wade’s hope was in His Lord and he would
want you to put your hope in Christ, too.
Wade will be remembered as a godly man, teacher, referee, friend, and
servant. He was a faithful and loving husband, father, brother,
grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 49
years, Anna Ruth Lee Holder; 2 daughters: Karen Holder Guinn and her
husband David of Zebulon, NC, and Sharon Holder Finley and her husband
Ken of Timberlake, NC; 2 sisters: Myrtle Slaughter of Sanford, NC,
and Ester Howard of Buies Creek, NC; a brother: Thomas Holder of
Raleigh, NC; 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He was
preceded in death by his parents; his son, Wade Hampton Holder, III; 5
sisters: Margaret Porter, Bertha Lucas, Lovedy May Holder, Callie
Cummings, and Oneta Morrison; and 3 brothers: Perry Holder, Lois
Holder, and Layon Buie Holder.
