Billy Hollen

Billy Joe Hollen, 91, was born April 29, 1928 in Spearmen, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents J. Ray Hollen and Ines Emily Giddens, his sister Ruth Hutchison and his brother Jake R Hollen. He passed away on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at his home in Santa Fe. Billy is survived by his loving wife of 72 years Claudia M (Modrall) Hollen of Santa Fe, his daughters Pamela Hollen of San Antonio TX., Kimberly Rael (Frank) of Santa Fe NM. Grandchildren Reina Howard (Cameron) of Portales NM, Rebekah McCoy (Patrick) of Santa Fe, NM, CharliRay Rael, of Santa Fe NM, Tracy Nance Larsen (Kendall) of Redwood City, CA, his great grandchildren Ethan, Reanne, and Samuel Howard, Dillan and Nathan McCoy, Seraphine Larsen, and many nieces and nephews. Billy was raised in Portales, NM, attended and graduated from Portales High School. He grew up working in a boot shop, worked for Southern Union Gas Company in Portales, joined the National Guard October 5, 1947, and entered active duty in 1957, retired from New Mexico National Guard in 1983 in which he was very proud to be a soldier and Officer He retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel. He received numerous awards and medals and his heart was being a true soldier. He resided in Ft Sumner following his retirement, for the past 7 years he made his home Santa Fe NM. He was an avid Hobbyist, making models of wartime vehicles, model trains, numerous wood carvings, painted miniature paintings and was a master leather craftsman. He loved to fish, garden, play cards and dominoes with friends and family. He had a real craft for gun repair, making numerous firearms from scratch. He had an extraordinary sense of humor up to the very end of his life.  Billy was a member of the National Guard Association, Retired Officers Association, American Rifle Association, and was a deacon at First Baptist Church in Ft Sumner. Visitation hours for family and friends will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2019 from 1pm to 6pm at the Chavez Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Friday, October 11, 2019 at First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner, NM with Rev. Rick Wilcher officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Frank Rael, CharliRay Rael, Patrick McCoy, Cameron Howard, Ethan Howard, and Kendall Larsen. Honorary bearers will include Nathan McCoy, Dillan McCoy and Samuel Howard. Memorial Contributions would greatly be appreciated to: First Baptist Church – Fort Sumner, NM, Baptist Children’s Home- Portales, or Fort Sumner Cemetery Association. Ft. Sumner, NM. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311.