Raymond Earl Holland

Raymond E. Holland, 77, of Yakima, WA, died Sunday, May 10, 2026 at MultiCare Hospital, Yakima, WA.

He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana November 17, 1948 to Joe and Tressie Holland. He moved to Yakima at the age of 8, where he was educated and graduated from Davis High School in 1966. He joined the Air Force and after attending Syracuse University to learn Russian, he became a Voice Interceptor Specialist, being stationed all over Europe during his service, obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Following his service, he attended Central Washington University, majoring in accounting. After graduation and passing the CPA exam on the first try, he worked for an accounting firm on the West Side before moving back to Yakima, after the death of his Father. After returning, he worked for Dolsen, Synoground, Smith and Martin for a number of years before becoming a partner in the firm. Ray retired as managing partner in 2001. This was a job he not only was excellent at, but he genuinely loved. After retirement, he took up golf and played 4 times a week with our good friends, Ed and Bob, until a stroke forced him to stop in 2024. He was a past member of the AICPA; in the first Leadership Yakima Group; past Board Member of the Southwest Rotary Club; Past Board member of Planned Parenthood and was on the United Way Allocation Committee. Ray loved playing golf with his friends, even though he always lost sight of the ball. Ed and Bob always had to tell him where it went. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping growing up with his Dad and brothers. He really loved the beach. He and his wife spent their summer vacations at Lincoln City, OR for a number of years, but for the past 18 years they go to Seaside, OR. More than anything else, he loved his family and wanted to spend as much time as possible with them. His favorite memory was always when the kids would go on vacation with us to the beach. Ray was a kind, loving, honest man who truly never got mad or angry. The kind of man, husband and father most people only dream about. We were so fortunate to have him as our own. He is loved more than words can say and is missed more than we ever imagined anyone could be.

Survivors include his wife of 48.5 years, Nora (Stevens) Holland of Yakima; two sons, David (Noelle) Holland of Bellingham, WA, Jason (Lindsey) Holland of Arlington, WA, and one daughter Jennifer (Travis) Marcum of Oak Harbor, WA; grandchildren Ryan Holland, Bellingham, Beau, Grady and Fenna Holland, Arlington, Ryder and Addison Marcum, Oak Harbor; His brother Glenn Holland of Bakersfield, CA, brothers-in-law Richard Stevens, Albany, GA and Greg (Cathy) Stevens, Spokane, WA; sister-in-law Susan Harter of Yakima, WA and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his Mother, Father, youngest Brother, Donald, Sister-in law, Shirley, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Orville and Mary Stevens and Brother-in-law, Orville Stevens, Jr.

His body was just too tired to keep fighting; he passed quietly and peacefully on Sunday Morning. We want to thank the doctors and nurses of MultiCare’s ACU for their kindness, compassion and excellent care Ray received. We also like to thank Sr. Fe for her words of encouragement, her visits to Ray during his many hospitalizations these past two months and especially for her prayers. A special thank you to Jim Petersen for his visits during his hospitalizations. He truly appreciated Jim taking time to stop by to check on him and chat a while.

Ray never wanted a service because “they are too sad.” He wants people to celebrate and remember the fun and the good things…the best memories. The family will have a celebration of life later this summer.