Hollis Macon Holly Swisher, 86

Hollis Macon Holly Swisher passed away Oct. 13, 2010, in Whitefish. He was born Sept. 20, 1924, in WildCat, W.Va., to Lannis and Mary (Allman) Swisher. He grew up in West Virginia. Holly lied about his age and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943. He served in Normandy, Battle of The Bulge, Northern France, and Ardennes, Rhineland. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Holly met and married Vera Zinn in Hawthorne, Nev., in 1947. He graduated from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo with a degree in animal husbandry. He competed in collegiate rodeo while there. Family and job opportunities took him to Long Beach, Calif., where he worked for Douglas Aircraft. He retired after 39 years and moved to Whitefish in 1993. Holly enjoyed cutting firewood, hunting and fishing. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Vera Swisher, of Whitefish; and three daughters and three granddaughters; Corine and husband Terry and daughter Diane Mahon of Tigard, Ore., Sandy and husband Ty and daughters Kristi and Amber Massey of Whitefish, and Vicki and husband Matt Iber of Fairmont, W.Va. He was preceded in death by three brothers. Private family services will be held. Contributions may be made to the National Museum of the U.S. Army, Processing Center, P.O. Box 96281, Washington, D.C., 20090-6281; or to the Montana Veterans Home. Arrangements by Austin Funeral Home.