Delmus Ray Holliday | Eastern NC Now

    Delmus Ray Holliday of Williamston, North Carolina, entered into the Kingdom of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, February 9, 2026, following a valiant battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

    Born in Martin County on October 10, 1950, to the late Clyde Delmus "Dell" Holliday and Frances Rogerson Holliday, he was the oldest of four children. His family were hard-working farmers and carpenters, and from a young age, he learned to have a strong work ethic, as well as the Christian principles of loving and caring for your neighbors and respecting your fellow man. As he grew older, he could be found working in the tobacco fields or assisting his father with carpentry projects for family and friends. Being the oldest sibling, he made sure to look out for his brother and sisters and enjoyed many special family moments with them.

    He attended Williamston High School graduating in 1968. After graduation, he continued to assist his family on the farm while also working at Bo-Knit. He secured a position with Carolina Telephone and Telegraph in May 1969 and began a 45-year career as a Business Services Technician. He remained with the company through its various name changes, and in June 2014, he retired when the company was CenturyLink. During his career, he earned the nickname and was fondly known by many as "The Telephone Man".

    His involvement in the community extended beyond his telephone career. He was a retired volunteer firefighter and first responder with the Bear Grass Volunteer Fire Department; for several years, he worked part-time as a Funeral Service Assistant with Biggs Funeral Home offering compassion and service to families in their time of need; during his children's school years, he often could be found serving on PTA Boards or helping with numerous school clubs or fundraisers; he also served for a time as a member of the Bear Grass School Advisory Committee.

    Attending since childhood, he was a member of Bethany Pentecostal Holiness Church in Williamston. He loved his church and was faithful in his attendance until his health began to decline. He was always willing to help with church activities and served several times as a Church Deacon, was a member of the Men's Fellowship, and served as the Sunday school teacher of the Adult #1 Class for many years. Thanks to Livestream, he was still able to enjoy church from the comfort of his home during his last months.

    He had great talent working Sudoku puzzles and jigsaw puzzles and greatly enjoyed watching his favorite television game shows. His favorite hobby was working in his yard. He loved cutting grass, pulling weeds, and raking leaves; his barn was his "get-away" where he was constantly cleaning and rearranging. He learned his carpentry skills from his father and uncles, and he was a good cook who enjoyed sharing food with neighbors and friends. His morning routine, before his health declined, often included a trip to Roberson Brother's Service Station to share a drink and conversation with friends.

    On January 15, 1971, he married his high school sweetheart, best friend, and love of his life, Cecilia Nelson, at Bethany Pentecostal Holiness Church. They recently celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary.

    His greatest joy was his family. He loved and adored his wife and was a loving and nurturing father to his children. He was thrilled when he became a "Papa" and spent years loving and cherishing his three grandchildren.

    In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Kenny Holliday, and a niece, Herley Jane Holliday.

    Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Cecilia Nelson Holliday; his daughter, Tonya Holliday Leggett and husband Brent; and his son, Chad Holliday, all of Williamston.

    He will be loved and missed by his grandchildren, Tara Leggett (Jackson Davis) of Lillington, Ryan Leggett (Elizabeth Shelton), and Nelson Leggett of Williamston.

    He is also survived by his sisters, Brenda H. Keel and husband Snookie, and Pam Holliday both of Williamston; a sister-in-law, Jeanie Holliday of Everetts; a special family friend that he considered as a second daughter, Page Mobley Warren of Micro; as well as several nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, and dear friends.

    The casket will rest at Bethany Pentecostal Holiness Church beginning at 2pm on Friday, February 13, 2026. Visitation with the family will be at the church on the same day from 6 - 8:30pm. A funeral service will be held at Bethany Pentecostal Holiness Church in Williamston on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Noon. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Williamston.

    Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to:

    Santa's Workshop/Child Life Services
    Maynard Children's Hospital
    c/o ECU Health Foundation
    PO Box 8489
    Greenville, NC 27835-8489

    or

    Bethany PH Church
    1248 Tyner Road
    Williamston, NC 27892

    The family wishes to thank Carrie Tingley, AGNP, for her care and friendship over the last several years and the Gentiva Hospice staff for their service and compassion over the last few weeks.

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Holliday family.