Obituary: Willie Holder

14 December 1949 – 14 July 2015

WELL-KNOWN and much loved Empangeni chiropractor Willie Holder passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening following his second battle with cancer.

Despite his ongoing battle, Willie never lost the will to share his healing hands with those around him.

Highly respected in the community, he in Zululand arrived in 1978 before opening his private practice.

Willie’s love for chiropractic studies flourished during his time at Palmer College in the United States of America.

During his first two years in Empangeni he met Maryna, whom he married in 1980. After more than a decade together they welcomed their daughter Henelle into the world.

Following in his footsteps, Henelle would hide under his desk as a little girl and watch him treat patients.

Inspired by his work she studied medicine and will be qualifying as a medical doctor in November this year from the University of Pretoria

After Willie’s first successful battle with cancer, he had a new lease on life and took part in the Cape Argus nine times, cycled the Desert Nights last year and qualified as an off-shore yacht master.

He was also an avid squash player and paddler and took part in the Rotary Connection Ride in March 2013.

Willie presented his family with a lifetime of adventures and as he always said, they were truly blessed.

A memorial service will be held at the NGK in Kerk Street, Empangeni tomorrow (Friday) at 11am.