Obituary for Bill Hollingsworth
Bill Hollingsworth, born Billy Joe Hollingsworth, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 15, 2022, at 86 years old. Born November 26, 1936, Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Lee "Tex" Hollingsworth and Inez Jecilia Farris Hollingsworth Masters, along with brothers and sisters Edward Eugene "Jim" Hollingsworth of Rule, TX, Barbara Ann of Whitesboro, Deborah Lee West Hollingsworth of Witchita Falls, Tx, and finally his son, Perry Wayne Hollingsworth of Plano, Texas.
Bill was a lifelong "newspaper man," author, publisher, and marketer, among much more. Having served briefly in the United States Navy, he was deeply passionate about military affairs which is one reason why he published Naval Air Station News and Senior Life Magazine.
Bill was a hard worker and dedicated to his family his whole life. While still in school, he washed dishes in a restaurant to make extra money to help his mom put his younger siblings through school to graduation. Several of his siblings went on to college because of his guidance.
A gifted athlete, he was the fastest running back or full back in Texas, for many years, earning a scholarship to any Texas college he wanted to attend. He chose Hardin Simmons, in Abilene, Texas, under Coach Sammy Baugh. Bill was also a Golden Gloves Champion for many years in the 1950s; he formed a boys club in boxing in the 60’s to help keep the youth busy and off the streets, in Lamesa, Texas. Several of his members won several championships.
Bill was adamant about serving his community. This was further illustrated in his involvement in law enforcement. He always held down two jobs, advertising in the day, and law enforcement at night. He also coached baseball and little league football.
In advertising, Bill won most of the Texas Press Association awards in the 60’s for layouts and content when working for Hamilton Herald in Hamilton, Texas. In 1967 he started his own newspaper in Lancaster, Texas. Then in the 70’s he worked for the Dallas Morning News as sales manager. During the 1980’s and 1990s, he published his magazine, Nasa Life Magazine, until the start of his Alzheimer’s.
Bill was also the consummate jokester. His wit, creativity and comedic timing were often his calling card. When he first came into the Perry Family, he would put his sisters in law in the top of the closet if they used a bad word. He was afraid to try to wash their mouths out, because they were likely to bite him.
While handling advertising promotions in Hamilton, he worked up a contest between the newspaper and the radio station. They had to form a band to play for some event that he had, to see who the best could be. His band was called “the Geetles”. They were dressed in wigs and clothes like the Beetles. At one of the big Texas Press Association conventions in Longview, he was opening speaker. He always said you had to get the audience attention before they would listen to you speak. So…he dressed in a red ladies coat and wig, came out across the stage dragging a heavy chain; Sam Logan, the editor of the newspaper at the time, yelled out, “Say Bill, why are you pulling that chain behind you.” Bill answered, “Have you ever tried to push one?”
He loved using his kids in advertising. When he did, he usually won the competition. His humor was often bestowed upon his children. One Christmas, Bill decided to give all of his children something that he knew that they would really need and use. So, he gave them all toilet tissue. They did not think it so funny as the time, but he did. At his daughters’ wedding, he showed up in a Santa Clause suit. When asked what he was doing, Bill said “well I have to give her away, so I thought I was dressed right.” Of course, he went and changed before the wedding.
Bill brought a laugh and smile to all of those around him. He was greatly loved, and will be incredibly missed.
He is survived by his children, JoAnn Vandagriff, and husband Jim of Sherman, TX, Bruce Hollingsworth and wife Charlene of Waxahachie, TX, Gary Hollingsworth and wife Judy of Southlake, TX, Billy Joe "Duny" Hollingsworth, Jr. and his wife Tammy of Hico, TX, Gayla Bevans of Morgan, TX and Susan Collins of Mesquite, TX; grandchildren, Jamie Vandagriff, Candy Tinsley, Ashley Hollingsworth, Traci Piersanti, Holly Hollingsworth, Julie Hollingsworth, Heidi Hollingsworth, Joey Hollingsworth, Kristi Freeman, Dusti Damon, Chase Hollingsworth, Nichole Chavez, Clayton Hollingsworth, Colby Hollingsworth, Brock Hollingsworth, Savie Hollingsworth, Beth Duenas and Billy Evans; great grandchildren, Harrison, Camille, Hunter, Emma, Addy, Reeve, Preston, Alexander, Ashton, Graci, Little Joe, Guilanna, Geo, Corbin, Jules, Jaden, Dev, Zavie, Perry Kate, Enes, Jordon and Madelyn; Great-great grandchildren, Giuseppe, Esmae Chavez, Wescott and Reed; siblings, Sue Hamilton, Vivian Grammar, Bonnie Fisk and Raymond Hollingsworth.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 from 11:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. at Boze Mitchell McKibbin Funeral Home Chapel in Waxahachie.
Services to celebrate Bill’s life will follow at 12:00 P.M. Interment will follow at Clifton Cemetery in Clifton, Texas.
Bill was a lifelong "newspaper man," author, publisher, and marketer, among much more. Having served briefly in the United States Navy, he was deeply passionate about military affairs which is one reason why he published Naval Air Station News and Senior Life Magazine.
Bill was a hard worker and dedicated to his family his whole life. While still in school, he washed dishes in a restaurant to make extra money to help his mom put his younger siblings through school to graduation. Several of his siblings went on to college because of his guidance.
A gifted athlete, he was the fastest running back or full back in Texas, for many years, earning a scholarship to any Texas college he wanted to attend. He chose Hardin Simmons, in Abilene, Texas, under Coach Sammy Baugh. Bill was also a Golden Gloves Champion for many years in the 1950s; he formed a boys club in boxing in the 60’s to help keep the youth busy and off the streets, in Lamesa, Texas. Several of his members won several championships.
Bill was adamant about serving his community. This was further illustrated in his involvement in law enforcement. He always held down two jobs, advertising in the day, and law enforcement at night. He also coached baseball and little league football.
In advertising, Bill won most of the Texas Press Association awards in the 60’s for layouts and content when working for Hamilton Herald in Hamilton, Texas. In 1967 he started his own newspaper in Lancaster, Texas. Then in the 70’s he worked for the Dallas Morning News as sales manager. During the 1980’s and 1990s, he published his magazine, Nasa Life Magazine, until the start of his Alzheimer’s.
Bill was also the consummate jokester. His wit, creativity and comedic timing were often his calling card. When he first came into the Perry Family, he would put his sisters in law in the top of the closet if they used a bad word. He was afraid to try to wash their mouths out, because they were likely to bite him.
While handling advertising promotions in Hamilton, he worked up a contest between the newspaper and the radio station. They had to form a band to play for some event that he had, to see who the best could be. His band was called “the Geetles”. They were dressed in wigs and clothes like the Beetles. At one of the big Texas Press Association conventions in Longview, he was opening speaker. He always said you had to get the audience attention before they would listen to you speak. So…he dressed in a red ladies coat and wig, came out across the stage dragging a heavy chain; Sam Logan, the editor of the newspaper at the time, yelled out, “Say Bill, why are you pulling that chain behind you.” Bill answered, “Have you ever tried to push one?”
He loved using his kids in advertising. When he did, he usually won the competition. His humor was often bestowed upon his children. One Christmas, Bill decided to give all of his children something that he knew that they would really need and use. So, he gave them all toilet tissue. They did not think it so funny as the time, but he did. At his daughters’ wedding, he showed up in a Santa Clause suit. When asked what he was doing, Bill said “well I have to give her away, so I thought I was dressed right.” Of course, he went and changed before the wedding.
Bill brought a laugh and smile to all of those around him. He was greatly loved, and will be incredibly missed.
He is survived by his children, JoAnn Vandagriff, and husband Jim of Sherman, TX, Bruce Hollingsworth and wife Charlene of Waxahachie, TX, Gary Hollingsworth and wife Judy of Southlake, TX, Billy Joe "Duny" Hollingsworth, Jr. and his wife Tammy of Hico, TX, Gayla Bevans of Morgan, TX and Susan Collins of Mesquite, TX; grandchildren, Jamie Vandagriff, Candy Tinsley, Ashley Hollingsworth, Traci Piersanti, Holly Hollingsworth, Julie Hollingsworth, Heidi Hollingsworth, Joey Hollingsworth, Kristi Freeman, Dusti Damon, Chase Hollingsworth, Nichole Chavez, Clayton Hollingsworth, Colby Hollingsworth, Brock Hollingsworth, Savie Hollingsworth, Beth Duenas and Billy Evans; great grandchildren, Harrison, Camille, Hunter, Emma, Addy, Reeve, Preston, Alexander, Ashton, Graci, Little Joe, Guilanna, Geo, Corbin, Jules, Jaden, Dev, Zavie, Perry Kate, Enes, Jordon and Madelyn; Great-great grandchildren, Giuseppe, Esmae Chavez, Wescott and Reed; siblings, Sue Hamilton, Vivian Grammar, Bonnie Fisk and Raymond Hollingsworth.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 from 11:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. at Boze Mitchell McKibbin Funeral Home Chapel in Waxahachie.
Services to celebrate Bill’s life will follow at 12:00 P.M. Interment will follow at Clifton Cemetery in Clifton, Texas.