Willie L. Holland, Jr.

Willie L. Holland, Jr., 78, of Parksley, VA, devoted husband of six decades to Virginia C. Holland, beloved father, and a pillar in the Eastern Shore community for almost fifty years, died at his residence on Thursday, September 17, 2015.  Willie (Bill) was born in Norfolk, VA, a son of the late Willie L. Holland, Sr. and Stella Swanner Holland.

After graduating from Princess Anne High School, in Virginia Beach, Bill began his career with the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Virginia, in Norfolk, as a motor vehicle mechanic.  During his thirty-six years of service with the company he held several positions of increasing responsibilities in various areas of the Commonwealth.  His career culminated in the position of District Manager of the Eastern Shore of Virginia after the company was renamed Bell Atlantic, and he retired in 1991.  Bill was a member of the Virginia Army National Guard for thirteen years.  He attended Officer Candidate School and ended his career with the Guard at the rank of First Lieutenant. 

Bill was a past President of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce, having served as a member of its Board of Directors for over thirty years.  He was also awarded several recognitions by the Chamber, including its Distinguished Service Award, the Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award, and was honored as a Life Member.  He served as past President of the Onancock Rotary Club, the Eastern Shore Christian Businessmen’s Association, the Parksley Lions Club, and the Eastern Shore Chapter of the Telephone Pioneers of America; past Chairman of the Eastern Shore College Foundation, the Eastern Shore Community College Foundation, the Industrial Development Authority of Accomack County, the Eastern Shore of Virginia Economic Development Commission, and the Accomack County Vocational Education Advisory Board; member of the Board of Zoning Appeals of Accomack County; past member of the Board of Directors of Shore Health Services, Inc.; and was affiliated with the Layman’s Home Missionary Movement.  Bill participated as a volunteer in countless organizations across the Eastern Shore, including Habitat for Humanity. 

In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his two children, Kevin L. Holland and wife Jeri of Burke, VA, and Karen H. Strickland and husband Doug of Raleigh, NC; a daughter-in-law, Becky Holland of Hampton, VA; two sisters, Virginia Driskell Mitchell of Virginia Beach, and Lynne Lovern and husband Tom of Fort Myers, FL; a brother, Larry Holland and wife Rita of St. Augustine, FL; five grandchildren, Stephanie, William, and Alexander Holland, and Sam and Ty Strickland; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.  Other than his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Keith A. Holland.

Bill’s family would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to the staff and volunteers at Riverside Shore Cancer Center, especially Dr. Drury Stith and Ashley Greer, for the genuine care and compassion shown to them throughout his illness.   

A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be conducted from the chapel of the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 2: 00 p.m., with Brother Leon Snyder officiating.  Private interment will precede the service in the Parksley Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Eastern Shore, 165 Market Street, Suite 3, Onancock, VA 23417, or to a charity of your choice.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.