William Holliday, Lead Pastor, (252) 230-9271
Pastor William Holliday is a newly retired Elder in the North Carolina Annual Conference. A native North Carolinian, he is originally from Jamesville, NC, where his family settled in 1710, after arriving from Annandale, Scotland. As a child, William moved with his family to Orlando, Florida, where he lived until leaving for college at the University of Florida to study Political Science, a lifelong fascination. Upon graduation, William and his new bride, Elizabeth, better known as “Mo”, moved to Chapel Hill, NC where William was to begin graduate studies in Political Science.
While living in Chapel Hill, William felt the call to ministry and matriculated at Duke University where he then earned his Master’s in Divinity. He has served his entire ministry in the North Carolina Annual Conference, beginning with Scotland Neck UMC and retiring from Hampstead UMC. In his 37 years, he and Mo have served seven churches, each of which was a blessing and an opportunity to serve the servants of God.
William and Mo have two sons, Zachary Sean McMurray Holliday and Matthew Denver Hershey Holliday. Both Zachary and Matthew are honor graduates of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. Zachary is a soon-to- be Commander in the United States Navy. They have three grandchildren: Liam, Malia, and Kayleigh.
Bruce Smith, Director of Music Ministries, music@westoverumc.org
Bruce arrived at WUMC in October 2019. He was baptized and raised in the United Methodist Church in the small town, Wolfe City, Texas, and is a professional musician with extensive experience in three musical areas – worship ministry, instrumental music education, and jazz performance.
Bruce’s musical journey began in 1981 when he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from East Carolina University. To his surprise, becoming a public school band director was not what God had in mind for him at that time. However, becoming an Army Bandmaster was – so he served from 1981 – 2001 in the US Army conducting professional Army Bands all over the US and the world. Through this wonderful experience and his involvement within the United Methodist Church, he received his calling to worship ministry in Columbia, South Carolina in 1990 and completed his Master’s Degree in Music Education at the University of South Carolina in 1996.
From 1990 – 2019, Bruce has served in volunteer, part time and full time worship ministry in a variety of church settings – United Methodist, Non-denominational Community Churches, large churches, small start up churches, leading blended worship, gospel, youth worship – and just about every style of music. He has recently served in music ministry at Hope Chapel, Freedom Church, North Raleigh UMC, and most recently, Genesis UMC.
Bruce also has a great passion for playing jazz. He performs piano and vocal jazz throughout the triangle as a solo artist as well as with Daze Work, his own trio. He is also a professional percussionist.
Bruce is married to the love of his life, Barbara, who is a retired special education teacher. He has one son, Ryan, who lives and works in Tacoma, Washington.
Susan Denny – Administrative Assistant, westoverumc@gmail.com
Susan joined the staff at Westover UMC in June 2024. She is the daughter of the late Robert and Jean Massengill of Cary. She has been a member of Westover since 1983. Her late husband, Thomas Denny, went into ministry from Westover in 1995 where they moved around with the Methodist church for many years. After retirement, they came back to Raleigh and to Westover.
Susan has 5 children and 6 grandchildren and loves spending time with her family, church family and at the beach or pool in the summer.