June 23, 1923-April 25, 2014
Oklahoma City, OK
Early Friday morning, April 25th, Federal Appellate Judge William J. Holloway, Jr. passed away peacefully in his home in Oklahoma City surrounded by his loving family. Born in Hugo, Oklahoma, to William Judson Holloway Sr. and Amy Arnold Holloway, he moved into the Oklahoma governor’s mansion at the age of 7, while his father served as the 8th governor of Oklahoma. Judge Holloway attended Classen High School, winning the national debate championship and graduating with honors. He served in the United States Army, received his undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1947, and went on to Harvard Law School, receiving his LL.B. in 1950. He was married to Helen Hoehn in Enid, Oklahoma in 1963. He served as an Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. before returning to Oklahoma to pursue private practice. Judge Holloway was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson and confirmed by the United States Senate to serve on the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1968, where he served for more than 45 years, including as the court’s chief justice from 1984-1991. He took senior status on May 31, 1992 but continued to work up until his death. Judge Holloway was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, the American Law Institute, and the American, Oklahoma, Oklahoma County and Federal Bar Associations.
Judge Holloway is survived by his wife, Helen Hoehn Holloway, daughter Eleanor Gentry Holloway, daughter-in-law Martha L. Whiteaker, and grandsons Jack W. Holloway and Joshua W. Holloway. He was predeceased by his son, William J. Holloway III. He had numerous devoted and loving extended family, friends, and colleagues. His lasting legacy, beyond a tireless and honorable service, was to always remember the people whom the law served.
Visitation will be held at Hahn Cook Street and Draper from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday April 30, 2014. A service celebrating his life will be held at 2 pm, Thursday May 1st, 2014 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. A reception will follow at 4 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center. Judge Holloway will be privately interred at Rose Hill Burial Park in Oklahoma City. Memorial donations can be directed to Doctors without Borders, a charity long-supported by Judge Holloway. Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.
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