Obituary of Hollis Elmer McClelland

Hollis Elmer McClelland, age 87, formerly of Wilson, died Wednesday April 22, 2015 in Ormond, Fl after a lengthy illness. Holly was born October 18, 1927 in the Town of Porter, NY, the son of the late Elmer Myers and Genavie (White) McClelland. He attended the Youngstown Old Brick Schoolhouse and was a lifelong area resident. He entered the US Navy in 1944 and served 2 years. Between tours of duty in the Navy he worked at Kimberly Clark, Goodrich Chemical and at the Shawnee Air Base. He reentered the Navy in 1954 and completed 21 years in 1973, the last three of which he served as a Navy recruiter in Niagara Falls. Holly had served in many countries in many capacities while in the service. After his retirement he operated a cattle farm in the town of Cambria and worked for Consolidated Freightways in Tonawanda, as a transport operator for 15 years. He received numerous awards and medals from the Navy and belonged to a number of organizations including the Ransomville Lodge F&AM Masonic Lodge # 551, Teamsters Local 449, VFW Post 917 and VFW Post 1590 in Daytona Beach, FL, AARP, Retired Enlisted Mans Assoc., and the Navy Fleet Reserve, as well as the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge in Halifax, FL and the American Legion. He was predeceased by his wife, Helen Kapinos McClelland, his parents, his brother, Nieland McClelland in 1982 and a granddaughter, Aleasha. He is survived by a son, Randy S. (Connie) McClelland of Phoenix, AZ; a daughter, Terry Lynn Bragg (Byron Smith) of Virginia, MN; a sister, Joan Blatt of Montgomery, TX; and 4 grandchildren, Raymond McClelland, Ashley (Dane) Aochen, Dann and Lynn Williams, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, 3648 Ransomville Road, Ransomville on Friday, June 19, from 4 to 8 pm. A Memorial Service and Burial with Military Honors will be held graveside at North Ridge Cemetery, Church Rd., Town of Cambria, on Saturday, June 20. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Ransomville Lodge #551 F&AM, P.O. Box 205 Ransomville, NY 14131, the Niagara County SPCA, 2100 Lockport Rd., Niagara Falls, NY 14304 or to the Wilson Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 609, 250 Young St., Wilson, NY 14172.