Charles Holland

Canton-Charles Wiley "Shotgun" Holland, age 84 of 521 Groundhog Road, died Monday, September 1, 2003 at the VA Medical Center in Oteen after an extended illness.

He was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and was the son of the late John and Elva Joyce Westmoreland Holland. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda Joyce Holland who died in 1967. He retired from Champion International in 1984 with 43 years of service and was a member of Ridgeway Baptist Church. Mr. Holland was a United States Army Veteran of World War II having served in the European Theater in the 44th Engineer Co. He was in the "Battle of the Bulge" and was a recipient of the Bronze Star. He later went on to retire from the Army National Guard.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Geraldine Ray Holland of Canton, two daughters, Ann Holland Earley of Decatur, AL and Elizabeth Kim Thorn of Vanceboro, NC, one son, Charles Hoyt Holland of Canton, 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 3, 2003 at Ridgeway Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Jack W. Collins officiating. Graveside rites will be conducted by the Buncombe County Veterans Council and members from Ft. Bragg. The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Wells Funeral Home of Canton prior to the graveside service. At other times, the family will be at Charles' residence, 521 Groundhog Road, Canton, NC 28716.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ridgeway Baptist Church, 525 Old US 19-23 Hwy, Candler, NC 28715.

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