Obituary of Wayne Hollowell

Wayne Elgan Hollowell, age 88, of Manhattan, passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the Via Christi Hospital.

He was born on June 12, 1928 with his twin sister Wanda, in Barnes, the son of William Elihu and Ada Estella (Auchard) Hollowell.  They grew up in several small Kansas towns including May Day, Riley and Keats.  He graduated from Keats High School in 1946.  He went into the Air Force immediately following graduation and served about 30 months attending Radar training and was assigned as an instructor.

Following his release from the Air Force, Wayne returned to the home in Keats where he soon fell in love with Lulu Mae Zeller.  They were married at the Keats United Methodist Church on January 15, 1950 and moved to Kansas City where Wayne joined General Motors Manufacturing.  Seven years later he was recruited by Avon Products Inc. at the Kansas City Operation and in 1966 was transferred to New York City as Director of Transportation where he served and retired in 1985.  As time went on, they moved to Manhattan to assist in the care of Lu’s parents and once again be ‘back home’ to enjoy family and friends.  Even while living in New York, Wayne enjoyed hunting and fishing in Kansas and purchased ‘Out of State’ Kansas licenses for most of the 45 years they had lived elsewhere.

He was a member of the Sedalia Community Church and served as a Deacon and other office positions.  Wayne was a man of extraordinary kindness and grace.  He loved everyone who was an integral part of his life and when he met someone new, he immediately saw the good in them and could see the gifts they could offer to the world, whether they recognized it in themselves or not.

He is survived by his wife Lulu Hollowell of Manhattan; his son, Walter Hollowell and wife Ginger of Albuquerque, New Mexico; his daughter, Gail Biddle and husband Hank of Mill Valley, California; ten grandchildren, Colleen, Alysia, Eli, Megan, Jake, Drew, Kurt, Casey, Christie and Clint; six great grandchildren and four sisters, Ila Pultz, Wanda Goff, Betty Wohler and Winona Hollowell.

He was preceded in death by five siblings, Wilma Hermann, Bonnie Stone, Jeannie Bradshaw, William Hollowell and Robert Hollowell.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 26, 2017 at the Sedalia Community Church with Pastor Kevin Larson officiating.  Respect calls may be made anytime Thursday at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley.  The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday.  Burial will be in the Sedalia Cemetery.

A memorial has been established for the Sedalia Community Church and Boy Scouts Troop #79.  Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.