HOLMES - William "Bill" H. Holmes, Sr., 93, passed away Saturday morning, December 26, 2009 at Baptist Medical Center in Fernandina Beach, FL. He was born November 15, 1916 in Seventy-First Township, NC and moved to the Jacksonville, FL area in 1944. He moved to Franklin, NC in 1988 and then back to Fernandina Beach four years ago after the death of his beloved wife. Memberships include Blackrock Baptist Church and the Council on Aging of Fernandina Beach. Prior to his passing there were five living generations of family...and, even at the age of 93, Mr. Holmes was still driving. He loved going to church and listening to Gospel music. He also enjoyed gardening - vegetables, flowers and landscaping; as well as horses, watching western movies, bingo, talking on his cell phone, spending time with fellow senior citizens, canning food, greeting the greeters at Wal-Mart and visiting with other shoppers. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Eula Grace Holmes and by a brother, Bernice Holmes. Survivors include: a son, William "Billy" Holmes, Jr. of Jacksonville, FL; six daughters, Patricia Allen (Larry) of Jacksonville, FL, Betty Pittman (Gary) of Fernandina Beach, FL, Janet Shirley (Charles) of Franklin, TN, Louise Shaw of Fayetteville, NC, Mildred Freeman of Lumberton, NC and Janet Moore (Felton) of Lillington, NC; a brother, Ernest Holmes (Elizabeth) of Lumberton, NC; three sisters, Elizabeth Taylor, also of Lumberton, Beulah Brown of Duluth, GA, and Gladys Odum (James) of Aberdeen NC; 14 grandchildren, numerous great and great-great grandchildren, his two dogs, Bubby and Tiny, and his bird, Pete. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 30, in the Stephens Chapel at Green Pine Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the family burial estate at Green Pine Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Green Pine Funeral Home, Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Yulee, FL.