Robert “Bob” Allen Holliday Sr. was born in Lamar, Colorado on September 5, 1941, to William “Bill” Perry and Jessie Lois (Murphy) Holliday. On July 12, 1958, he was united in marriage to Connie Joann Wolfe. They made their first home in Brule, Nebraska where Bob worked at Goodall Manufacturing for a short period before moving back to Wilsonville, Nebraska where he was employed by Allen Kasson and other area farmers. Other jobs included N.I. Johnson Grain Company in Norcatur, Kansas, for two years and Chavital Texaco Co. in Atwood, Kansas for a year. From there he moved his family to Eustis, Nebraska and worked for Monroe Manufacture building shock absorbers.
Bob enlisted in the United States Army on January 16, 1963, receiving his basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia for mechanic school, graduating in July of 1963. He then went to Oakland, California for a short time before being transferred to Schofield Base in Hawaii, where he received a Good Conduct Medal along with a mechanic badge and a sharpshooter rifle M-1 medal. Bob was honorably discharged as a Specialist 4 USAR on March 30, 1965. Returning home to his wife, three sons and one daughter, they made their home in Fairfield, Nebraska where he worked for Fate Construction, laying brick and block along with working with cement for eight years. While in Fairfield, their fourth son, Robert “Rob” Jr. was born. The family then moved to Sutton, Nebraska where he was employed by Smith Brothers Allis Chambers dealership. While there, he attended Lincoln Technical College for auto electric systems. He graduated on November 24, 1971. After a few years, he moved his family to Kearney, Nebraska where Bob and Connie managed the Bingo gas station. He also worked for Rockwell Co. for a year. He became an employee of Roeder Brothers Construction for a couple of years before moving his family back to Wilsonville. There he owned and operated his own construction business. He and his Uncle Homer Fisher also insulated homes. Bob also assisted Dale Presler with his propane business. He then became employed by Furnas County as a heavy equipment operator. He retired from the county after 20 years. Bob then hauled grain for Vic Knutson Farms until failing health forced him to full time retirement.
While living in Wilsonville, he was the Chairman of the board for 16 years and served on the cemetery board for many years. Bob was baptized in the Wilsonville Baptist-Christian Church on January 13, 2010. Bob enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, watching western movies, playing cards and keeping up with his family.
Those preceding Bob in death include his parents, Bill, Sr. (1981) and Lois (2003); mother and father-in-law, Etta and Byron Wolfe; (1969); granddaughter, Porsha Holliday (1994); brother, Bill (2023); his aunt, Margaret and uncle, Homer Fisher; aunt, Orpha and uncle, Earl Shaw and their son, Jerry Shaw; his grandparents, Florence Murphy and Boyd and Cody Holliday; along with multiple aunts and uncles.
Other than his wife, Connie, survivors include his children: Royce, Kevin (Nancy), Rolland (Rose), LaNita (Paul Freinuth), Rob (Kim); grandchildren: Kristopher, Keith, Kyle and twins Jayme and Rayna, Mandy Matney Angela Holloku, Micheal and McKenzie Holliday, Dexter (Jessica) Holliday, Cortney (Jason) Mellies, Joseph, Jennifer, Jonathan and Jessie Wood, Vanessa (Stephen) Gurthrie, Shalynn (Brandon) Reichert, Miranda and Allan Holliday; great-grandchildren: Rose, Melissa and Clayton Holliday, Skyler Bethal, Nathaniel and Rylan Matney, Emmett, Ryker and Olivia Holliday, Emmalynn and Wrenley Millies, Axton and Wheston Guthrie, Chase, Hayden and Prixa Reichert; one great-great-grandson, Henry Carrasco; sister-in-law, Kathy Holliday; brother-in-law, Joe (Barbara) Wolfe; sisters-in-law: Beverly Guthrie, Carolyn Ovis, Myrna (George) Herren, Sharon (Jim) Bruening; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cremation was chosen and memorial services are scheduled for 11:30 AM on Thursday morning, December 7, 2023 at the Wilsonville Baptist-Christian Church. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Wilsonville Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Cambridge Senior Center in Bob’s memory. Online condolences may be left at lockenour.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lockenour-Jones Mortuary of Cambridge.