William Holly

William Ray Holly, 55, life-long resident of Artesia, died in his home last week.

Ray was born Dec. 14, 1960 at Artesia General Hospital to William and Nita Holly. The fifth of five children, his mother often reminded his sisters not to complain about their baby brother since they were responsible. The two had banded together to pray for a baby brother for Christmas because they were worried Mom would be lonely when the younger sister started school the next year. Ray arrived just before Christmas in the midst of a rare Artesia snowstorm.

Ray attended elementary school underground at the historic Abo Elementary School, built and fully stocked as a bomb shelter during the cold war era. In high school he enjoyed shop and building furniture, but preferred to be away from school playing with his dog, Hans. Ray graduated from Artesia High School May 1979.

A member of the First Baptist Church, Ray was active in the youth group and choirs growing up. He carried a love for music and taught himself to play the guitar. He enjoyed strumming and singing with family when he wasn't hunting and fishing.

On Sept. 12, 1979, Ray and his friend, Lonnie Easter, enlisted with the United States Navy and Ray reported to basic training July 17, 1979. Following basic, Ray attended optical school and was eventually stationed in Norfolk, Va. on the USS Yellowstone AD 41. He was honorably discharged Dec. 21, 1984 at the rank of Optical Man 2, OM2.

Ray worked at the Navajo Refinery for several years following his discharge. He welcomed daughter Melissa Kay Holly into the world on June 18, 1988. Following some life changes, Ray worked in the construction industry for several years, starting with Enchanted Services in Angel Fire, N.M. before returning again to Artesia where he worked with a construction crew working in Artesia and Carlsbad. Ray met his wife Patty Anderson during this time and the couple was married November 4, 2004.

Most recently Ray worked at Sunedisun with Jim Riggenbach maintaining solar panel farms in Southeastern New Mexico.

Ray was preceded in death by his father, William B. Holly. He is survived by wife, Patty Holly of Artesia; daughter Melissa Kay Holly of Carlsbad; mother, Nita C. Holly of Artesia; step-children Christina M. Jarrell of Albuquerque, Brandon Barrow of Roswell, and Dakota Mares of Artesia; siblings Terrye Rogers and husband Ernie of Goode, Va., Randy Holly and wife Barbara of Cameron, Texas, Don Holly of Wheatridge, Colo., Nita Jo Bynum and husband, Ronnie, of Euless, Texas; and nieces and nephews Ryan Rogers and Tana Rogers Jamison, Erin Holly Jackson, Michelle Holly Lampert, Lyle Holly, and Jon Paul and Holly Bynum.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, Nov. 25, 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Artesia.

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