Mr. Holler was born January 23, 1940 in Bluefield, West Virginia, son of the late Clifton Holler and Ruth Fuquay. He finished Dreher High School, where he was voted most athletic, while playing basketball, football, and baseball. Punky attended the University of South Carolina where he was a 2 year letterman for baseball and a 3 year letterman for football. He was also a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He earned 3 letters in football as a running back/linebacker under head coaches Warren Giese and Marvin Bass and 2 letters in Baseball as a pitcher under head coach Joe Grugan.
The Inside Linebacker Meeting Room, in the Ken and Cyndi Long Family Football Operations Building is named in honor of Punky. He was a regular member of a group of former USC football, baseball, and basketball athletes who had dinner together every Wednesday evening. After obtaining his under graduate degree at USC, he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1963 by Vince Lombardi, and played for them for 1 1/2 years. Punky was then traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964 and played there. He then played football in Canada for three years.
He received a JD from the University of South Carolina school of Law in 1969, while he was still playing in the NFL. Punky was admitted to the SC Bar, US District Court, US Court of Appeals and US Supreme Court. He was a speaker at the National Trial Lawyers Association in Toronto and New Orleans. Punky was a long-time practicing attorney in Columbia, following his athletic career. He was the founding partner in the law firm of Holler, Dennis, Garner, Corbett, and Freeman which later became Holler, Garner, Corbett, Gilchrist, and Mason. He practiced criminal, domestic, and personal injury law as well a sports agent for many athletes, including Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers. He was a member of the SC Trial Lawyers Association since 1972. Where he was a past member of the American Trial Lawyers Association and American Bar Association, National District Attorneys Association and many other Civil and Professional Associations. Punky was a member of the National Football League Alumni Association and Sports Lawyers Association. He was elected to the Board of Governors for the SC Trial Lawyers and was Chairman of SC Trial Lawyers convention for over 20 years. Punky was awarded the founding member of the SC Trial Lawyers Convention and was practicing law for more than 50 years, up until his passing.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of almost 38 years Renee Holler; daughter, Mary Peck (Michael) of Blythewood, SC and their daughters, Sutton Peck and Reese Peck; son, James Edward “Eddie” Holler, Jr. of Columbia, SC; son, Trevor Morrison “Mo” Holler (Emily) of Columbia, SC and their son, Smith Holler; daughter, Logan Elizabeth Holler of South Florida; brother, Cliff Holler (Annelle) of Tallahassee, FL; and sister, Barbara Hiller (Buddy) of Columbia, SC; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at Shandon Baptist Church. Visitation will immediately follow the service in the church foyer.
The family suggests that those who wish, may send memorials to University of South Carolina Letterman’s Association, USC Association of Lettermen,1304 Heyward Street, Columbia, SC 29208.
Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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