Willard Lee Holcombe, age 92, died Saturday, April 16, 2016. His funeral service will be today at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Morrison Funeral Home, Central Heights, with David Rushlow and Keith Holloway officiating. Burial will follow in Williams Chapel Cemetery.
Mr. Holcombe was a Lauderdale County native and a veteran of World War II. He was a member of Second Creek Church of Christ and the American Legion. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mary Delsie Bevis Holcombe; parents, Earnest and Sarah Dennis Holcombe; grandson, Christopher Lee Woods; sisters, Mary Holcombe and Nina Ruth Holcombe; and brother, Arnold Holcombe.
Survivors include his daughter, Doris Woods and husband, Jimmy, of Waterloo; son, Anthony Holcombe and wife, Sherry, of Waterloo; grandson, Joshua Holcombe and wife, Lori; great-grandchildren, Saleigh and Dane Holcombe, of Waterloo; siblings, James L and Fannie Holcombe, of Waterloo, Bernice Holcombe Bennett, also of Waterloo, Cletus and Faye Holcombe, of Florence, Edwin and Elaine Holcombe, of Shelbyville, Tennessee, and Leonard and Ganelle Holcombe, of Waterloo; and a host of nieces and nephews.
At the age of 20 Willard was inducted into the U. S. Army on Oct. 22, 1943. He served with the 34th Infantry Division in the 135th Infantry Regiment, Company F as a rifleman. He was wounded three times and was awarded the Purple Heart with two clusters. Other medals include the Combat Infantry Badge Battles and Campaigns, North Apennines, Rome Arno, World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, European African and Middle Eastern Service Medals with two Bronze Stars.
Pallbearers are Josh Holcombe, Charles Bevis, Tim Holcombe, Jimmy Holcombe, Tracy Holcombe, and Ricky Holcombe.
Mr. Holcombe’s family expresses special thanks to Connie Woods and family for the exceptional care they gave our father.
An online guest registry is available at morrisonfuneralhomes.com.
