OBITUARY: Pastor O.W. Hollis

Pastor Oliver William “O.W.” Hollis, 91, Topeka, took his last breath on earth and his first breath in Heaven on Sun., Dec. 16, 2012, at his home. He was born June 17, 1921, at Oswego, KS, the youngest of 11 children born to William David and Myrtle May (Leka) Hollis.
O.W. grew up on a farm near Oswego, and attended country school through the 8th grade. He attended Central Bible College, Springfield, MO, where he met his future wife. He served a pastorate while attending college and then at Piedmont for 2 years. He moved to Topeka in 1945, to found and pastor Faith Assembly of God in a North Topeka storefront and later built two churches for the congregation. The first being completed at N.W. Grant and Van Buren a month before the 1951 flood. The church moved to its current location in 1963, now known as Faith Family Life Centre. For 25 years, he was a radio pastor on WREN, “The Hour of Faith.” In 1986, he retired and his son, Philip E. Hollis, became pastor. In retirement, he served two congregations as interim pastor. He was honored with his 50 year ministry pin in 1993, from the General Council of the Assemblies of God located in Springfield, MO.
On Aug. 10, 1943, he married the love of his life, Norma Jean Behrens, at Oswego. He is survived by his beloved wife, Norma, of the home; a daughter: Cheryl Altom (Jerry) of Grand Prairie, TX; 2 sons: Stephen Hollis (Barbara) of Auburn, CA, and Rev. Philip Hollis (Sheila) of Topeka; 8 grandchildren, Stephen II, Stacee, Scott, Serena, Daric, Chantell, Jason and Brandon; and 18 great-grandchildren, William, Breanna, Kenner, Maggie, Raynee, Madison, Maddux, Garrett, Avery, Dayne, Jayson, Amelia, Micah, London, Sophia, Bodhi, Sloan and Greenly. He was preceded in death by a son, Larry Dean Hollis, on March 13, 1982; a grandson, Devon Dean Hollis, on May 16, 2001; his parents; 5 sisters; and 5 brothers.
A Celebration of Life service will be at 1:00 PM, Fri., Dec. 21, 2012, at Faith Family of Life Centre. Interment in West Lawn Memorial Gardens. Pastor O.W. will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Thurs. at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave., Topeka, where the family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Family Life Centre, 3710 NW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66617.