Oliver Otis "Odie" Howard, IIIMarion - Mr. Oliver Otis "Odie" Howard III, age 87, of Marion, passed away peacefully at Deer Park Health & Rehabilitation on Sunday, October 29, 2017. A son of the late Alden L. Howard, Sr. and Nolia Bouvier Howard of Washington, DC, he was born on December 24, 1929. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and devotedly served his country for four years during the Korean War. He was always proud of, and felt honored by, his service in the Marine Corps. Upon being discharged from the service, he spent his career working with his brother, Alden Lane Howard, Jr., as a picture framer. Mr. Howard moved to North Carolina in 2002 to be nearer his sister Ailon. A faithful member of Bethel Baptist Church, he loved his family and friends, but most importantly, he loved his Lord. He was a good man, loved by his family and friends and now rests in the arms of a loving Savior.Surviving are his beloved sister, Ailon Howard Blankenship of Marion; a nephew, Mark Howard; two nieces, Claudia Howard Poe and Leslie Howard; his great-nephew, Will Howard, and his sister-in-law, Margaret Howard.A service of remembrance and celebration of his home-going will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Westmoreland Funeral Home in Marion with Rev. Jimmy Upton officiating and will conclude with military honors. The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow in McDowell Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Betty Roper Scholarship Fund, in care of Bethel Baptist Church at 205 Bethel Church Road, Marion, NC 28752. An online register is available at www.westmorelandfuneralhome.com.