Norman Nathaniel Holland was one of eight children born to Emil and Eleanor Holland in St. Lois, MS.
He departed this life peacefully in the Mercy hospital, Merced, CA on May 3, 2011, at the age of 85.
Norm was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Sanford 9Ethel), Emil Jr. and Coleridge (Barbara) Holland); as well as two sisters, Jennifer Holland Childs (Tyree) and Irene Holland.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Esther Murphy Holland, his only son, John Chester Holland and two step-sons.
Norm leaves behind eight adopted children and a host of friends and relatives. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Norm was a veteran of WWII, serving three years in the US Army. After leaving the army, he moved to Morgan Hill in 1949, where he became an employee of the Morgan hill Unified School District, retiring after 20 years of service. He was a counselor with the Santa Clara County Youth Department until age 65. During his life in Morgan Hill, Norm was an active member if the community.
He was President of both the Lion’s Club and M.H. Chamber of Commerce. He organized the Miss Morgan hill Beauty Pageant and worked with organizations in the community. Norma also served a four-year term with the Santa Clara County Board of Education as its President.
He resided in Awater for the past 15 years with wife Esther and their adopted children.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2011, from 5:00 -7:00 P.M. at the Wilson Family Funeral Chapel, 1240 Winton Way (at Drakeley Ave.), Atwater, CA.
Funeral services will be held at Wilson’s on Friday, May 20th, 2011, at 11:00 A.M.. Dinner and a memorial program will follow from 1:00 – 4:00 P.M. at the Atwater Community Center on Bellvue.
