Wayne County, North Carolina.  Early in life Billie affectionately known as “Bean” was taught by his parents that God is the way, the truth and the light.  He was introduced to God at a very early age and was a member of Pleasant Union Disciples of Christ where he attended Sunday School, Bible Study, and many church events.  He often accompanied his mother, a true beacon of light of Christ, to pray for the sick and shut in throughout Goldsboro and execute the duties of a true missionary.                                                                                                      

Bean was a very smart, friendly, and outgoing.  He loved basketball and you could find him regardless of the weather playing a very competitive game with friends. In his formative educational years, he attended Carver Elementary/High School.  There, he was a stellar student in arithmetic and often helped classmates improve their ability to perform in this academic area.  He also excelled in industrial arts where he enjoyed building and creating but most of all had the ability to apply his mathematical genius to the concepts of measuring, cutting, and building.  He was a member of the N.F.A. Club and drove school bus 67.  His favorite pastime was to work on cars and break down anything electronic to determine how it works.  This educational journey yielded many classmates and lifelong friends.  Most   importantly, it yielded his high school sweetheart Doris Bass. Upon graduation, he was accepted to North Carolina A&T. On August 17, 1962, he married his high school sweetheart.

In 1965, Billie and Doris moved to Washington D.C. In 1976, he began his career with the Montgomery County Public School System as a Building Engineer.  This career enabled him to apply his deep knowledge of mathematics, science, and practical ability to build, maintain and improve machines and systems.  He enjoyed diagnosing problems with heating and air conditioning systems, boilers, and completed HVAC Certification from the distinguished NATE Association.  He also received certification in various OSHA and received many acknowledgments and awards of achievement from the Montgomery County Public Schools System. He retired after more than 30 years of services.  Although retired, he continued to study to gain the latest knowledge on HVAC systems and tinker around with car systems. 

He was a kind and empathic person.  He enjoyed fraternizing with his friends and playing his favorite card game.  He was a wiz at numbers and one could say that he was a “statistical wizard”.  Although one would questions his statistical prowess during Sunday Football with his favorite team the Washington Redskins.  The probability of them winning the game never quite matched his ability to estimate their actual winnings.  However, his empathy for the team during their failure to win was exceptional.  The compassionate person that he was, he always provided great rational and understanding and even encouragement to fellow fans and adversaries that it will be okay.  He would call Anthony to have a rousing discussion on the games’ outcome. The true optimist that he was he would state “it’s okay they are still a good team and put forth a good effort”.  He would always find the positive to every negative situation. This optimism provided guidance to every situation and challenges that he faced and his children faced.  No matter the situation, he always concluded that “it will be alright”.  This provided the comfort for many and served as a blanket of security to his zealous and sometimes mischievous children. Especially, after admonishment from their mom. He was that blanket of comfort to reassure them that everything will be alright.  There have been many instances that this reassure was applied.  It was applied when Wanda somehow forgot to turn the defroster off in her car and the back window cracked when she stopped for gas in some remote area between Richmond and North Carolina. Wanda called daddy.  She was crying and afraid. Daddy found her and reassured her that everything will be alright. To the time that Stephanie somehow forgetting to get permission from momma to joy ride with her friends and getting into a small fender bender.  Worried, crying and upset she called daddy and he reassured her that everything will be alright.  To the time that Anthony forgetting to tell momma that he was going to use her car to take friends for a joy ride several miles from home and somehow ended up making a turn and hitting the medium and causing great damage to the car. He called daddy and daddy reassured him that everything will be alright.  This blanket of comfort was abundantly provided when crying was involved.  He would often ask us what are you crying for it will be alright.  These words from him provided great reassurance that no matter what the situation, it will be alright. 

On January 4, Billie was rushed to the Holy Cross Hospital.  During his time in the emergency room feeling bad, he reassured us that everything would be alright.  He spent one month in the hospital.  During one visit, Stephanie was crying and upset.  He was slightly sedated but with a faint voice, whispered don’t cry everything will be alright. 

On February 4, he was admitted to Manor Care Rehabilitation.  Eager to return to his normal state in spite of being very ill he stated that he was much better and will be alright.  After being in bed for one month, he walked and refused wheelchair assistance.  He was happy and energetic and walked for about one hour non-stop before he settled down.  Once he saw that Wanda, Stephanie and Anthony was there together, he reassured us that everything would be alright. 

Billie departed this earthly life for his heavenly home after a short decline of his health.  God reassured him that everything will be alright.  We must believe that his early spiritual grounding provided the under girth for his anthem. We are reassured of this in  2 Corinthians 4:18 - While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal. We can also know that [We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; [we are] perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9.  Although outwardly one might think that Billie veered from his spiritual groundings he incorporated this in the manner which he did things. You would need to know his mother to really understand this legacy. 

He transitioned peacefully to run and walk around heaven and reassure us from there that “everything will be alright”. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Billy and Addie Lou Holden and sister Angeline Holden.  He leaves to cherish his memories Doris, their three loving children Wanda, Stephanie and Anthony; two grandchildren, Stephen (Alyce) and Zana Holden Gatling, and one great-granddaughter Sophia; many special family and friends. He also left an indelible impression on Donita, Cheryl, Pam, Andre and Darrell which he considered an extension his family. He will be truly missed.