Harold Wade Holland

HAROLD WADE HOLLAND  Scottsdale, Arizona — Harold Wade Holland, age 91, died June 27, 2017, at Sherman Home Hospice in Scottsdale, Arizona after a short battle with lung cancer. Mr. Holland was born November 14, 1925, in Wirtz, Virginia. He was the son of the late Odus Lynn Holland and Fannie Myrtle (Eanes) Holland. Mr. Holland was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Helen Louise Ralston Holland. Mr. Holland is a veteran of WWII, joining the United Sates Navy 4 months shy of his 18th birthday, where he served in the South Pacific Amphibious Arena. After being honorably discharged from the United States Navy, he began his professional career as a cost accountant and was with ITT when he retired in 1986. He and his wife Helen were members of First Baptist Church in Roanoke, Virginia. He is survived by two children: Anne Holland Collins (Richard) of Scottsdale, Arizona and Michael Wade Holland of Atlanta, Georgia.  He also leaves behind five granddaughters, Amy Holland Bailey (David), Jennifer Holland Nolfi (Rob), Sarah Elizabeth Holland, Elizabeth Ralston Collins and Emily Anne Collins.  Mr. Holland is also survived by two great granddaughters, Caitlyn Grace Bailey and Cameron Louise Bailey. He was also preceded in death by his parents and two brothers and one sister, Odus Lynn Holland, Jr., Dewey Edward Holland and Lola Mae Holland. He took great pride in his family and was loved and supported by his family to the very end. He was very social, kind, happy and the funniest person you would ever meet. He was a true southern gentleman, lover of his family, his home farm, all things military, antiques, woodworking, animals and old cars. His military service was very important to him and he talked about Iwo Jima and Okinawa often and his service aboard the USS Presque Isles in the Pacific. In addition to being a diesel mechanic during his military service, Mr. Holland drove landing craft from the ship to shore with soldiers prepared to fight. He marvels at the fact that his father, two brothers and he were serving in WWII at the same time and all 4 returned to the US without one scratch! A graveside service will be held July 22, 2017 at 11 AM at the Shenandoah Baptist Church Cemetery in Verona, Virginia.  Harold W. "Pete" Campbell of Fred Henry Funeral Home in Staunton, Virginia will conduct the service for Mr. Holland.Memorials can be made to Sherman Home/Hospice of the Valley, 5801 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, Arizona, 85054.