LEXINGTON - Robert “Bob” J. Hollaway, age 80, passed peacefully on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at his home in Charleston, South Carolina. He was born December 8, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan to late Lewis James and Florence Hollaway. He served his country in the United States Navy on the destroyer USS Newman K. Perry, DD-883, as a very highly-rated Sonar Tech, where his work included chasing the legendary submarine USS Nautilus. He worked for Ontario Die Company 32 years before he retired from his work raising and nurturing parrots and other exotic birds with Birds by Veta. He received recognition from the South Carolina General Assembly. Bob authored many Exotic Bird articles for national and international magazines and presented many speeches at National and International Avian Conferences. Bob served as past Director for The Society of Parrot Breeders and Exhibitors and The International Avian Association. He was a lifetime member of the American Federation of Aviculture, where he was awarded the coveted AFA Exhibitor Award. He traveled extensively across the world.
He lived life to the fullest, and immersed himself in his passion for boats; cars, parrots and his best buddy, his dog "Fox". He was a member of Columbia Sailing Club since 1988 and a member of Keowee Sailing Club since 1973 and he loved racing his sailboat.He was a friend to everyone he met, with no barriers or boundaries. He was passionate, energetic, and filled with a lifelong love for learning and adventure.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Veta Dailey Hollaway; son, Robert J. Holloway Jr. of McLean, Virginia; wife Kelly and granddaughter, Kathleen; son William R. Hollaway, of Clifton, Virginia; wife, Phyllis and his grandchildren, Hillary, Jackson and Aurora; son, Chris Haynes of Columbia, South Carolina; wife Shiela and his grandchildren, Kevin (Brianna) and Michelle; son, Darin Haynes of Charleston, South Carolina; wife Kim and his grandchildren, Morgan and Abby. Family, friends, and the many others whose lives he touched are invited to attend a memorial service at Columbia Sailing Club, 292 Shuler Road, Columbia, South Carolina at 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 21, 2018 to celebrate his life and his joy of sailing, support each other, and enjoy life, as he always did.
Military Honors will be held at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. 4170 Percival Rd. Columbia, South Carolina
Donations can be made to Pawmetto Lifeline, 1275 Bower Pkwy, Columbia, SC 29212. Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
