Howard Edward Hollis, 95, of Panama City Beach, FL, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2015. Howard was born, reared and died in Panama City, although he traveled the world in the military and as a civilian. He fought in WWII as a navigator with the Army Air Corps and as a US Army communication officer in Japan and Korea where he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor. Howard owned and operated the Clearview Motel, one of the early gulf front motels on Panama City Beach, while serving as a rural mail carrier in Newton, Alabama. He was a real estate mogul before there was such a thing, and was a member of Gulfview United Methodist Church. Howard loved his family, fishing, work, politics, a little Tanqueray and Sprite with Merrie by his side, and Wheel of Fortune. He lived a great life and will be missed by us all. What a man! Howard was preceded in death by his first wife, Myrl Young Hollis and a daughter, Gwendolyn Hollis Herbst.

Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Merrie McEachern Hollis; a daughter, June Hollis Wise and husband Roy T. Wise of Atlanta; his step-son, Jim Johnson of Panama City Beach; his grandchildren, George F. Longino, IV, Michelle Longino, Howard Hollis Longino and wife Leigh, Tammylee Gamble, Lisa Butler and husband Ed, Lee Howard Herbst, Sarah Herbst, James Weston Johnson and Samantha Johnson Jordan and husband Brandon; 4 great-granddaughters, Grace Frances Longino, Martha Hollis Longino, Lucy Lane Longino and Railey Chase Jordan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, September 5, 2015, at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Interment will follow. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 9:30 until 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Howard's name may be made to the Gulfview United Methodist Church, 232 Rose Lane, Panama City Beach, FL 32413, or to a charity of your choice.

Kent-Forest Lawn, 2403 Harrison Avenue, 763-4694
www.kentforestlawn.com, Sep 2, 2015