Walter Jesse Hollis, Jr. (“Sonny”) died peacefully and surrounded by family on April 12, 2018 in Georgetown, Texas and was buried at Westlawn Memorial Park cemetery in Gretna, Louisiana next to his parents. He was 70 years old. Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, he was the beloved first child, and only son, of Walter J. Hollis, MD and Hazel West Hollis, both of whom predeceased him. He moved with his parents from Bossier City in North Louisiana to New Orleans in the early 1950’s where he was raised. In adulthood, he lived alternatingly in New Orleans and North Carolina. Several years ago he moved to Central Texas to be near his sisters.
Sonny is survived by his two adult children (Christy Owenby and Orrion Hollis) and three grandchildren: Christy’s two sons (Chandler and Benjamin Owenby) and Orrion’s daughter (Riley Hollis). Sonny also leaves behind his two sisters, Clara Hollis of Austin, Texas, Mary Strickland of Cedar Park, Texas, her husband Clayton Strickland, and their two daughters, Madeline and Liza Strickland; his cousins, Jackie, Jerrie, and Gregory Hall of Oklahoma, and his long-time love, Donna Cox of North Carolina.
Sonny graduated from John McDonough Senior High School in the late 1960’s and attended Southeastern Louisiana State University. He began his career as a carpenter and became a woodworking craftsman and artisan. In the 1980’s he founded and operated Royal Millwork on Royal Street in New Orleans. Having collected antique millwork machinery, his shop specialized in historic preservation, restoration, and replication. His artistic craftsmanship in millwork and furniture remains throughout historic New Orleans and in North Carolina as a testament to his love of nature, trees, wood, and his creative spirit. Sonny lived his life as an adventure shared with family and friends. He is greatly missed. We will always love Sonny, celebrate the gift of his life, and cherish our faith that we will see him again in Heaven.
Arrangements under the direction of Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628 (512)863-2564.
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