Stephen West Holden III, age 67, passed away on August 16, 2016. 

West was born in Farmville, Va. and was the son of the late Stephen West Holden Jr. and the late Katherine Kent Early Holden. West graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in Rumson, NJ, in 1967 and later graduated from Elon College in 1971. 

He earned a master’s through Longwood College in 1981 in the field of administration and supervision. West’s professional career was with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Correctional Education, where he was the regional principal for 39 years until his retirement in 2013.

West is survived by his wife, Margaret Southern Holden of Boydton, Va. and was a beloved father to his four children: Stephen West Holden, IV of Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Anne McNair Holden of South Hill, Va., William Claiborne Holden of Grundy, VA, and Caroline Southern Holden of Norfolk, Va.  West is also survived by his sister, Katherine Kent Holden, of Richmond, Va.

West was a voracious reader, with a quick wit and always eager to learn new things.  He particularly enjoyed history, watching westerns, listening to Marty Robbins or Gordon Lightfoot, beating everyone in Jeopardy, canoeing and looking for arrowheads on Buggs Island Lake. He loved spending time with his family and he was a man of immeasurable spirit and strength. West will be greatly missed.

The family received friends at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home in Clarksville, Va. on Friday, August 19, 2016 from 6:30 to 8:30. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the World Wildlife Fund.   

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.wclfh.com. Arrangements are by Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home.