Obituary: Wiley Ray Holland

Wiley Ray Holland, born Feb. 23, 1931, in Walnut Ridge, Ark., to Wiley Franklin Holland and Dellie Holland. He was a 48-year resident of Silver Springs. He died Dec. 29, 2010, at the age of 79, at his Silver Springs home.

As a young man he was a civil servant stationed in Guam. He worked many jobs throughout his life from cotton picker, steel worker, forklift driver to hod carrier and mortar mixer. He joined the Army in 1952 and served during the Korean War as an Explosive Opr Foreman.

He moved to Silver Springs in 1962 with his wife and two children. In 1966 he joined the Laborers International Union of North America - Local 169 and remained a member up to his death. He worked on many of our local government buildings, power plants and casinos. Wiley was devoted to being a hard worker and to his family.

Wiley is survived by his second wife Johnie; daughter Catherine Bodnar and husband Ron; son William Holland; grandson (who was also born Feb. 23) Jason Thompson and wife Isis. He is also survived by his stepson Robert Smith; brother Everett Holland; sisters Fay Dell Templeton, Paula Amos and Patsy Jean Snodgrass.

He was preceded in death by his stepson David Smith; brothers Alfred, Clarence, and Howard Holland; and his first wife of 48 years, Donna Louise Holland in 1998.

Ross, Burke and Knobel is in charge of arrangements. His last wish was to be cremated with no service or viewing.

Wiley's wisdom, hard work and love will be missed by all that knew him.