William "Tom" Thomas Holladay

William Thomas “Tom” Holladay passed away peacefully at his home of 53 years on March 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 82 years old. His passing was gentle, filled with music, singing, and heartfelt connection—a reflection of how he lived.

Born in Hampton, SC May 6, 1942, to Lillian Stanley and Robert E. Holladay, Tom moved with his parents and older siblings, Bobby and Ann, to Thomasville, North Carolina, at the age of three after his father returned from World War II. He often shared fond childhood memories of a thriving Thomasville, where children roamed freely and neighbors truly knew each other. From an early age, he embraced the values of the Boy Scouts, eventually earning the rank of Eagle Scout—an achievement in which he always took great pride.

After college, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Ferol Ann Welborn, and together they built a life filled with love and partnership for 62 years. They first moved to Greensboro, where Tom began his career in banking with NCNB, working his way up to Assistant Branch Manager. When the Vietnam War draft came, he joined the Navy, serving two tours aboard the USS Iwo Jima, a helicopter carrier stationed off the coast of Vietnam. His service took him across the world, from Japan and the Philippines to San Diego, further deepening his sense of duty and adventure.

Following his time in the Navy, Tom transitioned into human resources, serving as a personnel director for Jefferson Mills in Georgia before returning to Greensboro to work with Piedmont Associated Industries, where he specialized in employee training and development. In 1985, he followed his entrepreneurial spirit and founded Holladay Management Services, Inc., traveling across the country to assist businesses in solving workforce challenges. Through his work, he built lasting relationships and friendships in every corner of the U.S., leaving a profound impact on those he met.

Music remained a consistent thread throughout Tom’s life. His elementary school class gifted him a trombone in memory of his late siblings, Ann and Bobby, sparking a lifelong passion for music. He played in concert and marching bands, formed his own dance band in high school and college, and even performed in the ship’s band while serving in the Navy. While overseas, he founded a folk-singing group called The West Winds.

By the time he retired, Tom had become even more engaged in his music. He founded the Tom Holladay Orchestra and The Lamplighters, playing big-band music throughout North Carolina. He also established The Davidson Singers, a community show choir, and played in various community bands. He was a founding member of The Cedar Hill Brass, a group he created to mentor young musicians and share his love for music with future generations.

As Chairman of the Davidson County Arts Council, he helped launch the Music at the Gazebo program in downtown Thomasville. As a board member of Thomasville Medical Center, he promoted annual musical performances to support the Hospital Foundation. Tom was an active and dedicated member of his community. He served on the Community Concert Board, multiple bank boards, and later as Chairman of the Thomasville ABC Board.

Tom had a love of sailing that began in the Navy and continued as a hobby throughout most of his life. He enjoyed both lake and coastal sailing. Sailing was more than just a pastime for Tom—it was a way to connect with nature, family, and friends. He even incorporated sailing into his professional life, using it as a team-building exercise in his training programs.

A lifelong member of Memorial United Methodist Church, he was present when its cornerstone was laid, and worked to bring talented musicians to enhance worship services. He loved playing in orchestras to accompany the church choir, and in retirement, he joined the choir himself, singing alongside his friends, his wife, and, occasionally, persuading his children to join him in the choir loft.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Lillian and Robert Holladay, as well as his beloved siblings, Ann (age 19) and Bobby (age 14). He is survived by his loving wife, Ferol Welborn Holladay; his daughter, Meredith Holladay (Jaime Lagueruela); and his son, Neal Holladay (Lorena Muñoz-Holladay). He also leaves behind his cherished grandsons, Benjamin, Thomas, and Lucas; his sister, Susan Weaver (Dr. Joseph Weaver); as well as his niece, Jennifer Davis (Justin Davis), his nephew, Richard Weaver, and many lifelong friends. 

A celebration of life service will be held on April 6, 2025, at Memorial United Methodist Church, 101 Randolph St, Thomasville, NC 27360 at 4 PM with visitation afterward. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the MUMC “Music Fund” (Memorial UMC, P.O. Box 428, Thomasville, NC 27361), supporting a cause that was close to Tom’s heart.

Tom never met a stranger, and his love, wisdom, and music will live on. 

"This is my story, this is my song!"

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