John Willard "J.W." Holcomb Sr., 91, of Catlettsburg, passed from this life on Feb. 13, 2013, in Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland.
He was a minister of the Church of Christ for 62 years. He was born at Neon on Oct. 30, 1921, to the late Townsel and Maryland (Wright) Holcomb. He spent his younger years on a farm near Neon and started his ministry in 1950. He preached in seven different states and gave his life to working in the Lord's service. He evangelized all over the Tri-State and established several congregations of the Church of Christ.
He moved to Ashland in 1954 and preached at 30th and Carter Church for 20 years, then moved to Cannonsburg Church of Christ and preached for this congregation until 2008. He was still a member at Cannonsburg Church of Christ. He was on television for 11 years and radio for several years.
Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Clella (Begley) Holcomb; two daughters, Wanda and Wetzel Adkins of Catlettsburg and Elizabeth and Dan Begley of Dayton, Ohio; a son Thomas L. Holcomb of Cross Lanes, W.Va.; eight grandchildren, James Dalton of Catlettsburg, Michelle (Robert) Scholl of Plain City, Ohio, Melissa (Craig) Hopkins of Versailles, David Holcomb of Clearwater, Fla., John Michael (Michelle) Holcomb of Perry, Fla., Brian (Kim) Holcomb of Ashland, Broc (Amber) Begley of Dayton, Ohio, and Weston Begley of Dayton; 19 great-grandchildren; and nieces Jean Rathbone and Jackie Holcomb.
He was also preceded in death by a son, John Willard Holcomb Jr.; a brother, Edward Holcomb, and wife Ifella; and a nephew, Otis Holcomb.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday by Brother Tom Reese and Brother Broc Begley at Cannonsburg Church of Christ. Entombment will be in Rose Hill Burial Park Mausoleum, with committal by Brother Joe Fox.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Preston Family Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent to prestonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Service Details
Saturday, February 16th, 2013 11:00am