1928
Bill
2012
Bill Hollowell
July 22, 1928 — January 18, 2012
BILL HOLLOWELL
Maj. Gen. (USAF Ret.), (Brevet Lt. Gen. TXANG); Texas State Legislator; Attorney
Bill Hollowell loved Texas. Serving in the House of Representatives for the people in his district was his highest priority. He served fourteen terms in the Legislature spanning 28 years. Four constitutional amendments, which were approved by the people of Texas, were authored by him; most notably was the State Nursing Home and Medicade Care bill which he jointly passed with Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock. Other constitutional amendments were Increased Funds for Old Age Pensions, Civil Defense During Disasters, and Budget Execution. He also authored numerous bills. During his tenure, he served as Committee Chairman of the Public Lands and Buildings, State Affairs, General Investigating (2 times), and the House Ethics Committees. He was Speaker Pro Tem of the House during one term, served on the Texas Legislative Budget Board for 11 years, and was a member of the Joint conference Committee on Appropriations. He also served on the Legislative Council for 2 years. Hollowell was Dean of the House (Senior Member) when he retired in January 1991.
Hollowell practiced law in Grand Saline after his retirement and worked for several months for Congressman Ralph M. Hall in Washington, D.C. While serving as legal advisor to the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1967, he resided Washington, D.C. He taught government courses at Henderson County Junior College and served as Director of Hearings and Enforcement for the Texas Water Quality Board. After receiving his law degree from Baylor University, he was admitted to the State Bar of Texas and admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Texas. Later on he was admitted to practice before the United States Court of Military Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
At the age of 20, Hollowell enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard and performed duty with the 36th Infantry and 49th Armored Divisions. He then transferred to the 181st Fighter Squadron, TXANG. While serving at TXANG Headquarters, he was appointed State Judge Advocate of the Texas Army and Air National Guard and State Guard. He also served as President of a Military Board that wrote the Texas Code of Military Justice and legislation to reorganize the Adjutant General’s Department. After enactment into law, he authored the “Manual for Courts-Martial Law.”
Hollowell served on a number of boards and committees for the Air National Guard and FEMA. He completed the General Officers Orientation Course and Tour, as well as many courses and seminars. A number of decorations and service awards were bestowed upon Hollowell for his service with both the ANG and FEMA. Hollowell’s last assignment, before being assigned to the USAF retired reserve, was ANG Assistant to the Director of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He is a member of the U.S. and Texas National Guard and the State Bar of Texas.
Bill loved to learn. He graduated from Grand Saline High School, Tyler Junior College (Associate of Arts), Baylor University (Juris Doctor), University of Texas (Master of Laws), University State of New York Regents College (Bachelor of Science), East Texas Baptist University (Bachelor of Applied Science), and Thomas A. Edison State College (Bachelor of Arts). He attended North Texas State University, the University of Mississippi in Oxford, and Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, as well as completing several correspondence courses.
Bill Hollowell died Wednesday, January 18th, at the age of 83 from complications of a fall at home. Hollowell was born near Grand Saline, Texas, on July 22, 1928, to Jessie and Annie Hollowell. He married Mary Jane Smith Farmer in 1999. He is predeceased by his parents. Bill is survived by his wife and his stepson, John Farmer of Greensboro, N.C., and numerous cousins, friends, and colleagues.
Services for Mr. Bill Hollowell are scheduled for 10 a.m., Monday, January 23, 2012 at Main Street Baptist Church with Bro. Ron Cantrell, Bro. Randy Larpenter and David Hudson officiating.
Interment will follow in Sand Flat Cemetery under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home, Grand Saline.
The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bill Hollowell’s name to the charity of your choice.
Maj. Gen. (USAF Ret.), (Brevet Lt. Gen. TXANG); Texas State Legislator; Attorney
Bill Hollowell loved Texas. Serving in the House of Representatives for the people in his district was his highest priority. He served fourteen terms in the Legislature spanning 28 years. Four constitutional amendments, which were approved by the people of Texas, were authored by him; most notably was the State Nursing Home and Medicade Care bill which he jointly passed with Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock. Other constitutional amendments were Increased Funds for Old Age Pensions, Civil Defense During Disasters, and Budget Execution. He also authored numerous bills. During his tenure, he served as Committee Chairman of the Public Lands and Buildings, State Affairs, General Investigating (2 times), and the House Ethics Committees. He was Speaker Pro Tem of the House during one term, served on the Texas Legislative Budget Board for 11 years, and was a member of the Joint conference Committee on Appropriations. He also served on the Legislative Council for 2 years. Hollowell was Dean of the House (Senior Member) when he retired in January 1991.
Hollowell practiced law in Grand Saline after his retirement and worked for several months for Congressman Ralph M. Hall in Washington, D.C. While serving as legal advisor to the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1967, he resided Washington, D.C. He taught government courses at Henderson County Junior College and served as Director of Hearings and Enforcement for the Texas Water Quality Board. After receiving his law degree from Baylor University, he was admitted to the State Bar of Texas and admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Texas. Later on he was admitted to practice before the United States Court of Military Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
At the age of 20, Hollowell enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard and performed duty with the 36th Infantry and 49th Armored Divisions. He then transferred to the 181st Fighter Squadron, TXANG. While serving at TXANG Headquarters, he was appointed State Judge Advocate of the Texas Army and Air National Guard and State Guard. He also served as President of a Military Board that wrote the Texas Code of Military Justice and legislation to reorganize the Adjutant General’s Department. After enactment into law, he authored the “Manual for Courts-Martial Law.”
Hollowell served on a number of boards and committees for the Air National Guard and FEMA. He completed the General Officers Orientation Course and Tour, as well as many courses and seminars. A number of decorations and service awards were bestowed upon Hollowell for his service with both the ANG and FEMA. Hollowell’s last assignment, before being assigned to the USAF retired reserve, was ANG Assistant to the Director of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He is a member of the U.S. and Texas National Guard and the State Bar of Texas.
Bill loved to learn. He graduated from Grand Saline High School, Tyler Junior College (Associate of Arts), Baylor University (Juris Doctor), University of Texas (Master of Laws), University State of New York Regents College (Bachelor of Science), East Texas Baptist University (Bachelor of Applied Science), and Thomas A. Edison State College (Bachelor of Arts). He attended North Texas State University, the University of Mississippi in Oxford, and Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, as well as completing several correspondence courses.
Bill Hollowell died Wednesday, January 18th, at the age of 83 from complications of a fall at home. Hollowell was born near Grand Saline, Texas, on July 22, 1928, to Jessie and Annie Hollowell. He married Mary Jane Smith Farmer in 1999. He is predeceased by his parents. Bill is survived by his wife and his stepson, John Farmer of Greensboro, N.C., and numerous cousins, friends, and colleagues.
Services for Mr. Bill Hollowell are scheduled for 10 a.m., Monday, January 23, 2012 at Main Street Baptist Church with Bro. Ron Cantrell, Bro. Randy Larpenter and David Hudson officiating.
Interment will follow in Sand Flat Cemetery under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home, Grand Saline.
The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bill Hollowell’s name to the charity of your choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bill Hollowell, please visit our flower store.
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