Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada for Retired Lt. Col. Holly Aubrey Piner, 86, of Duck Hill, who died on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Burial was held at noon on Thursday, Dec. 5, in the Piner Family Plot in Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia. Full military honors were rendered. The Rev. Tim Buchanan and the Rev. Archie Goodwin officiated. Family and friends gathered one hour prior to the service on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at McKibben and Guinn.
Holly was born on Dec. 14, 1937, in Columbia, the son of the late Holland Bates and the late Elma Craft Piner. He was a graduate of Columbia High School and Pearl River Junior College. He also attended the University of Southern Mississippi and earned a degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University. He continued his studies by taking advanced courses in engineering at the University of New York.
Holly was proud to have spent a lifetime in service to his country and fellow man, and he gladly shared that he had spent 36 years, 10 months and four days in the Mississippi Army National Guard. He earned the rank of Lt. Colonel and was the facilities management engineer at Camp McCain at the time of his retirement, a position he held for many years.
Holly was a member of Duck Hill Baptist Church. He brought life and great conversation to any room he entered. He was a fine man and a loyal Patriot. May he rest in peace.
In addition to his parents, his wife, Barbara Nell Ezell Piner; son, Gregory Holly Piner; sister, Sandra Kline, and a brother, Ted Leroy Piner, preceded Holly in death.
Survivors include, a special cousin, who also was his caregiver, Pat Ellis, and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Duck Hill Baptist Church.
Online condolences and fond memories can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
