Roy "Bud" Monroe Holden

Roy (Bud) Monroe Holden, 82, of 43 Goodman Rd., Asheville, went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 20, 2023 at his residence.

Bud was born on March 12, 1940 to Roy Belvin and Mary Elizabeth Holden in Brevard, NC. He grew up splitting his childhood between Brevard and Fort Pierce, FL.

Bud joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 in January of 1958. He spent a dedicated career of 25 years serving his country, starting his career as a seaman and retiring in 1983 as a full Lieutenant EO4. During his military service he served all over the country and was a Vietnam Veteran. He was on many different ships which consisted of destroyers, tugs and tenders. The ship he was on at retirement was the U.S.S. Yosemite AD19. Anyone that knew Bud knew he loved his career choice and would talk to anyone and everyone about his service and love for the Navy.

Bud is survived by his wife, Mary “Helen” of 48 years; children, Rebecca Kilgore (Daniel) of Nixa, MO, Cheri Lindstrom (Jeff) of Fayetteville, NC, Terri Welter (Joe) of Macon, GA, Kim Harwood (Jeff) of Asheville, Royce Holden (Sarah) of Mills River, and Chene Flannigan of Asheville; 12 grandchildren, Brad Holden, Amanda Kilgore, Kaitlyn Harwood, Scott Welter, Sarah Welter, Alicia Reeves, Tyeler Harwood, Aubri Flannigan, Kian Holden, Cooper Holden, Bradyn Flannigan and Kayleigh Holden; 8 great-grandchildren; sisters, Carol McCathern of Pisgah Forest, Deidra Quinn of Etowah; and several nieces and nephews.

Bud is preceded in death by his parents, Roy Belvin and Mary Elizabeth Holden; sisters Barbara Costopoulos and Sue Maddox; and brother Jesse Holden.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, February 3, 2023 in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home, with Rev. John Honeycutt officiating. Burial will follow at Elk Mountain Cemetery in Woodfin.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Groce Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Riverside Baptist Church, 871 Riverside Dr., Asheville, NC 28804.