Charles Eugene Holifield, CMSgt, (ret) USAF, 88, of Shalimar, Fla., passed away Dec. 26, 2016, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

Born in Vicksburg Dec. 19, 1928, he entered the military when it was the Army Air Corps and served over 30 years.

After retiring, he had a real estate business, Advance, and then started his own pest control and lawn business, A-Rid-It.  He was a member of Masonic Shriners, Elk’s Lodge, DAV, VA, VFW, NCOA, NRA, American Legion, Moose Lodge and more.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Geneva; his parents, Frank and Mattie May Clanahan; adoptive parents, Tim and Mollie (Hilburn) Holifield; brother, Virgil Land; sisters, Rose Rheaume and Mary Dailey; and grandson, Justin Orth.

He leaves to cherish his memories three sons, Charles E Holifield Jr, Robert (Bob) N Holifield and Curtis D Holifield; a daughter, Teresa K Orth (Skip); eight grandchildren, Shannon Holifield, Tiffany Garland (Ryan), David Holifield, Destiney Smith (Zach), Robert (Buddy) Orth, Michaela Orth, Charlie Orth and Judah Orth; and seven great-grandchildren, Rhian, Ethan, Cody, Blake, Remi, Chace and Carter.

Memorial services will be held for both Charles Holifield and his beloved wife of 63 years, Emmy Geneva Holifield (passed in 2013), on Feb. 3, at 2:05 p.m., at Barrancas National Cemetery at NAS in Pensacola, Fla., and a Celebration of Life service will follow at Covenant Community Church of Navarre.

Cremation arrangements by Emerald Coast Funeral Home.

Expressions of sympathy may be placed and viewed online at: www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com.