Walter Henry Holston, “Wally” to his friends and family, age 83, passed away on Friday, September 4, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family. Born on December 20, 1942, in Camden County, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Elizabeth Mather Scholding. He was also preceded in death by his treasured in-laws Ola Mae and Malcolm Pearce and his brothers-in-law, Ricky Pearce, Jim Shumen, and Robert Pearce.

Wally graduated from Collingswood High School at the age of 17 and immediately enlisted in the United States Air Force, a career he proudly held for 21 years, retiring at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. The Air Force allowed him to travel to exotic lands such as France, Germany, Southeast Asia, Nebraska, and Goldsboro, NC.

While assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson, one of his buddies asked him to go on a blind date. It was September 1968. By December 7, 1968, Wally was married to that blind date, the love of his life, Rosa. Rosa always liked to tease Wally and say, “it was a slow summer,” but that slow summer turned into nearly 58 years of marriage.

After his years in the service, Wally made a career in the information technology industry. When he finally decided to retire for real, he found purpose volunteering for Meals on Wheels. He served wherever he could, including Carter’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, where he served for decades as a deacon and Sunday School Teacher until his health dictated otherwise.

When Wally was younger, he enjoyed photography, an interest he passed down to his daughter, Terri. His true passion, however, was history, particularly military history, and that he shared with his son, Scott. He could quote the exact date of any military battle and tell you all about its significance. He and Scott had a special bond, more than father and son, more like best friends. Scott served as his caretaker during his last year, providing him many hours of comfort and conversation.

Wally took pride in ensuring his family had what they needed. His greatest roles were husband, father, and papa. He is survived by his beloved wife, Rosa Holston; his children, Terri Lee and husband John, and Scott Holston; his cherished grandchildren, Tony Lee and John Taylor Lee; his brother, John and wife Patty; his sister, Nancy Shumen; his sister, Sylvia Marinus and husband Keith; sister-in-law Betty and husband Jerry; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

The family would like to thank all who came by and offered words of encouragement and comfort to Wally over the last year, but they would most especially like to thank Kay Lamm and Greg and Lori Dixon for being a constant source of comfort during this time.

For a man who proudly devoted his life to his Air Force service and his country, no words offer a more fitting farewell than those of his favorite poem, “High Flight,” by John Gillespie Magee Jr.

High Flight

BY JOHN GILLESPIE MAGEE JR.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds, —and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air ....

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew— And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.