Lloyd Carter Wholey, Captain U.S. Navy (retired), age 98, died peacefully on June 27 at his daughter's home in Albuquerque. He is survived by his daughter, Debra Phillips and husband, Eric; son, John C. Wholey; two grandchildren, Ian Phillips and Lauren Sanchez, husband, Stephen; and two great-grandchildren, Cecilia Mae and Luisa Carter; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by Cecilia, his wife of 60 years, and his two sisters, Carmen Bridgman and Ellen Plath.
Born on March 3, 1926, in Fallon, NV, to John C. Wholey and Mae Carter Wholey, he spent his early years on a ranch near Reno. He entered the U.S. Navy Flight Training Program in 1944 and graduated in 1947. During his more than 32 years of naval service, he served in a variety of assignments including land and seaplane squadrons in the Pacific, Navy and Joint Service staffs, and several times in the field of nuclear weapons, taking him in his career from Hawaii to Alaska, from Japan to California, from Taiwan to New Mexico, ending his career as Assistant Chief of Staff of the Twelfth Naval District/Naval Base at Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA. His last New Mexico tour of duty was Director of Stockpile Management, Field Command, Defense Nuclear Agency. He was a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College and a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. In addition to campaign and service medals, he was awarded the Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal.
He was an avid golfer, master woodworker, gadget-creator, and problem-solver. He loved a good game of Hearts or Acey-Deucey in the afternoons. He would listen to music of his era and watch old musicals taking him in time. His quick wit and humor made him a joy to be around.
We express our gratitude for the caring, dedicated staff of Advanced Home Health & Hospice and French Funerals and Cremations. Interment took place at the Gate of Heaven Mausoleum in a private family ceremony.
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