William Ralph Holcombe

Suffolk - William Ralph Holcombe of Suffolk, Virginia, passed away September 18, 2025. Ralph was born on March 12, 1933, in Oxford, Georgia, the son of James Ernest Holcombe, Sr., and Elsie Ballard Holcombe. Ralph is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 46 years, FloMarie Holcombe, brothers James, Floyd, Frank, Clifford, John, and great-granddaughter Kirstin D. Winkler (Stacey).

Ralph is survived by sons Rickey Winkler (Paulette) and Dana Winkler (Judy), daughter Tina Winkler, sister Mary Holcombe Jordan (Roger), and a very special lady, daughter-in-law Betty Winkler. Ralph was blessed with five grandchildren, Stacey, Nikki, Amber, Chantel, and Julie, along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, and even one great-great-grandchild, Tessa.

After graduation, Ralph joined and proudly served in the United States Navy. He retired as a Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman serving aboard both conventional and nuclear submarines. Ralph retired from the military while stationed at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia, as an instructor for Hospital Corpsmen.

After retirement, he continued his career as a Safety Inspector at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, where he retired with a combined 35 years of government service.

Ralph and FloMarie enjoyed traveling the world, including Europe and the United States.

Ralph served as East Coast Regional President with the Fleet Reserve Association and was a founding member of Branch 40 in Chesapeake, Virginia. He was also past Branch Commander with VFW Post 82.

Ralph was an avid Washington Redskins, NASCAR, and Gunsmoke fan. He was one heck of a Karaoke singer too....especially Willy Nelson music.

A memorial service was held at 11 AM on Wednesday, September 24th, at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Chapel.

Condolences may be made to the family online at www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com