Mr. Willie Johnson Holmes, Jr., affectionately known as "Bubba", was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on February 12, 1956 to the late Mamie Jeanette Purdie Holmes and Willie Johnson Holmes, Sr. He graduated from North Forsyth High School in 1974 and attended school briefly at N.C. A&T State University and Winston-Salem State University.

He had a special passion for landscaping, but he was also excellent at many things and possessed a variety of skills. He did private contract work in carpentry, as well as commercial and private cleaning. In his youth, he was an avid tennis player.

Mr. Holmes passed away on June 23, 2023 after battling lung cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Jeanette Holmes, Sr.; sister, Martesia Tate; uncles: Robert Earl McCullough, Jr., Allen Holmes, Sr. and Paul Pickens; aunt, Deborah Pickens; grandparents: Cuma and Robert Earl McCullough, Sr. and T.S. and Etta Pickens.

He is survived by his wife, Bennie Martin Holmes; children: Kinard Douthit (Demetrice), Sheena Martin, LaShawndra Martin, Isaiah Holmes and Ashley Holmes; grandchildren: Imani and Ishana Burchette, Mackenzie Cuthbertson, Che' Geriah and Che' Malone, Jr., Isabel and Imri Holmes, Amirionna and Shane Graham; his brother, Alan Holmes (Mary); niece, Brittany Holmes; great nephew, Brycen Holmes; aunt, Martha Holmes; lifelong best friend, William Art Brown; and a host of relatives and friends.

Public viewing will be from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Thursday, June 29, 2023 at Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral service at 1:00 PM, Friday, June 30, 2023 in the chapel of Clark S. Brown & Sons. The family will receive friends thirty minutes prior to the service.

For a copy of funeral program click here