Bill Hollida

Billy George Hollida, Sr., of Silva, Missouri passed away Aug. 10, 2017, from complications with Alzheimers. He was born Nov. 3, 1935, in Combes, Texas and moved to Wayne County, Missouri when he was 6-years-old, where he would reside there the rest of his life.

Hollida developed a love for agriculture early in life and would serve as the vice president of the Missouri State FFA in 1954. He was an entrepreneur and over his life span would be involved in several business ventures. He and his wife of 63 years, Shirley, would spend their life together raising cattle, running an auctioneering business and for 30 years owned and operated Hollida’s Insurance Agency in Greenville, Mo., and Rocking H Gooseneck Trailer Sales, along with other businesses. Hollida was one of the top 10 salesmen annually for 25 years with Gooseneck Trailers.

He taught himself to auctioneer right out of high school and over the years would call many cattle, farm, antique and estate sales across the state. He would donate his time and talent to countless charity and benefit auctions as well.

He was very civic minded and contributed his time and support to many causes and organizations throughout his life. He was instrumental in bringing a bank to Greenville and served as a founding board member. He served on the Three Rivers Junior College Board of Trustees for 18 years and was a 59-year member of The Greenville Masonic Lodge. He was a 50 year plus member of the Missouri State Auctioneers Association and the National Auctioneers Association. He served in many leadership capacities on a local level, including Greenville RII School Board.

He came to know Jesus Christ at an early age and was an active member and held several leadership positions in various churches in the county over his 81 years. At the time of his death he was a member of the Patterson Baptist Church.

Hollida was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. He would travel throughout Colorado and Wyoming on deer and elk hunts and for a number of years, he guided hunts on the King Ranch of Texas. He loved to fish locally and out of state too. He was an active supporter of Ducks Unlimited and the National Rifle Association. His passion for hunting and fishing was something he passed on to his family.

He never met a stranger and was recognized for his generosity, as well as a can do and let’s make this happen attitude. He served as an encourager and motivator to others and he instilled great work ethic in all who were associated with him.

He is survived by his wife Shirley, his son, Billy George, Jr. (Hunter) and his wife Kristy and his daughter, Martha. He left behind five grandchildren, Lindsay and her husband, Wil; Lesli, Lariat, Billy George, III (Trace) and Gage and great granddaughter, Sierra. Other survivors include his sister, Judy Daves and her husband, Lavern, sister-in-law Barbara Telker and her husband Bob and many nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his parents Herbert Hollida and Madalyne Hollida Graham and his brother, Dan Hollida.

Masonic Services were conducted by the Greenville Masonic Lodge #107 at Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Morrison-Worley Greenville Chapel. Funeral services were held on Monday, Aug. 14, at the Patterson Baptist Church with Rev. Jule Maskrod and Rev. Don Hutto officiating. Tributes were given by Dr. Wes Payne and Lindsey Allen. Recorded songs were played for the service and Dwayne Hackworth, Jack Street, Frank McAllister, Nathan Carter, John Carter and Jay Decker served as Pall Bearers. Truman Barks served as an Honorary Pall Bearers. Interment was in the Twidwell Cemetery at Clubb, Mo., under the direction of Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel. Memorials have been requested to the Twidwell Cemetery or the Greenville Masonic Lodge.