James Willard Holleger

James Willard Holleger was born on August 7, 1949 and was called home to be with our Lord on August 21, 2025. James was affectionately known to many of his family and dear friends as “Jimmy”.

He was the beloved son of Loretta Janet Baker and James Downes Holleger, both predeceased. Jimmy is survived by his loving siblings: Marybeth (late Denis) Webb, Valerie Smith, Carol (Robert) Taylor, April (James) Yager, Gerald (MaryBeth) Holleger, and Patricia (late David) Watkins. He also leaves behind his two sons, Aaron & Jeffrey Holleger, a grandson, Ashton Holleger, as well as many nieces and nephews: Sherri Moreau & Bobby May; Karen Gerardi, Danny Pase, & Ashley Brown; Lynn, Christy, & Brenda Wilkins; Buddy Yager, Amanda Thompson, & Tina Yager; Andrew & Mara Holleger; Victoria Osburn & Jennifer Churchill. He was a devoted father to sons Aaron and Jeffrey, and a proud grandfather to Ashton Holleger. Jimmy attended his sons’ school, athletic, and civic events with pride.

Jimmy enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 during the Vietnam era, serving as a Rifleman and Lithographer. He earned the Expert Rifle Badge seven times and was an Expert Pistol Shot. His Marine Corps service took him to bases across the United States and overseas, including Paris Island, SC; Camp Lejeune, NC; Quantico, VA; San Diego, CA; Okinawa, Japan and Beaufort, SC. After discharge in 1977, he returned to Milford briefly before entering the US Navy in 1979, becoming an Electronic Warfare Technician, serving aboard USS Goldsborough and USS Brewton, both homeported in Pearl Harbor, HI. He retired on the USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor in 1990.

After military retirement, he worked in casino security, was a truck driver, and was a chauffeur before retiring to Hawaii. In 2022, he moved to Oldsmar, Florida, to be near his brother Gerald. As his health declined, his brother helped to guide his healthcare and he resided at the Veterans Community Living Center in Bay Pines, St. Petersburg, FL.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 N.W. Front Street, Milford, Delaware, where a time of visitation for family and friends will begin at 11:00am. Interment will follow at Lincoln Cemetery, Clendaniel Pond Rd, Lincoln, Delaware.

James, “Jimmy”, “Jim” will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.