With great sadness, we announce the passing of William Irvin Hollis, 92, on January 30, 2021, at Methodist Germantown Hospital. Until the end of his earthly life, Bill shared his generous love, sharp wit, and impeccable memory with family and friends. He lit up every room he entered, and his warm approach quickly turned strangers into friends. A natural cut-up, Bill especially loved teasing his buddies, new and old.

Born in Blytheville, AR, to Esther and Parrott Hollis, Bill grew up in North Memphis as one of eight children. He developed incredible strength and resilience early in life. After caring for his dying mother, Bill began working at the local drug store at the young age of 11. This marked the beginning of his journey toward becoming a self-made man. As a graduate of Messick High School, he got his start in the mortuary business, which was followed by his service in the Army on the Aleutian Islands. Upon his return, he met the love of his life, Martha Louise Little (Hollis). They shared 64 years of marriage, the last 10 of which he unselfishly devoted to her full-time care until her death in 2014.

After quickly progressing from the mailroom to Orders Manager at Bemis Bag, in 1950 Bill was recruited to Memphis Light, Gas, and Water where he served as a draftsman until retiring in 1975. An excellent provider for his family, he also worked in heating and air-conditioning service as a side job. With his tireless work ethic, Bill took up a second career traveling as a salesman for Southwire Company, retiring again in the mid-1990s. Because of his valued expertise, Bill agreed to return to MLGW years later to help his former team with special projects and train new employees well into his 80s.

As hard as Bill worked, he also knew how to relax and enjoy life. He and his family shared a beloved, decades-long tradition of camping in Cades Cove within the Great Smoky Mountains. In his down time, he took pleasure in birdwatching and served as the resident home-improvement jack-of-all-trades in his family. He was a devoted member of Cherry Road Baptist Church.

Bill is survived by his son William Gary (Kay) Hollis, Sr. of Collierville, TN, and daughter Joy Hollis Wilson of Germantown, TN. He was a proud granddaddy to three grandchildren, Allyson Kay Hollis of Memphis, TN, William Gary (Mary) Hollis, Jr. of Olive Branch, MS, and Stephanie Joy Wilson of Dallas, TX, as well as a loving great-granddaddy to Ava Rose and William Maverick Hollis. Bill is also survived by two sisters, Zeneda Lisle of Nashville, TN, and Esther Tyler of Memphis, TN, along with many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

A man of great faith, wisdom, and rich experience, Bill was at peace with entering the gates of his eternal heavenly home with his Lord and Savior: he frequently quoted, "as it is appointed unto men once to die" (Hebrews 9:27). Although he was prepared, neither this protective patriarch nor his loving family ever felt ready for his departure from us. Indeed, Bill will be missed every day. His warm, twinkling smile will always shine brightly in our hearts until that glorious day when we are reunited.

The graveside service will be held with masks and social-distancing at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021, at Forest Hill Cemetery South, 2545 East Holmes Road. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Cherry Road Baptist Church.