Norman Lawrence "Sonny" Hollis, age 84, of rural Vienna, was born April 19, 1937, at Vienna, a son of Raymond Lawrence and Selma Lorene (Rowden) Hollis, and passed from this life Tuesday, January 18, 2022, in Maries Manor, Vienna.

Norman was united in marriage June 7, 1959, at Fayette, to the former Miss Donna Jean Grapes, and to this union, their son, Gary, was born.

Growing up in western Maries County, Sonny attended Lambeth Assembly of God Church and received some of his elementary education at Lambeth School located just down the road from the church.  After high school, he attained a college degree in agriculture and was in the ROTC program while in school holding the rank of Second Lieutenant when he entered military service.

On December 13, 1959, at Vienna, Norman entered active federal service in the United States Air Force and served until September 2, 1962, when he was honorably discharged at Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, Texas, at the rank of First Lieutenant.  During his military career, Sonny received training and schooling for his specialty number and title as an 8124-Air Police Officer in the Pre-Flight Training Course, the Air Police Officer Course, the Photographic Fund Course, and the Phase I Medical Training Instructor Course.  A man of excellent character, Norman's "Honorable Discharge" is a testimonial of selfless and dedicated service to his country.

During his working life, Norman was employed by Production Credit Association, located in Vienna and Dixon, for seven years.  Also, during his working career, he was a teacher and instructor for twenty-two years, with the last eleven years at Maries R-1 High School, Vienna, as Vocational Agriculture Instructor, retiring January 1, 1993.

Those left to celebrate the life of Sonny include:  His devoted wife of almost sixty-three years, Donna, of their home; his son, Gary Hollis, of Jefferson City; two brothers, Johnnie Hollis (Barbie), and Rickie Hollis (Mary Jo), all of Vienna; one sister, Shirley Crum (Ellis, Jr.), of Vienna; nephews; nieces; cousins; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ray, on December 9, 2009; his mother, Selma, on March 16, 1986; one brother, William Kenneth Hollis, on June 3, 1993; and two sisters, Virginia LuEllen Hollis, on March 2, 1939, and Wanda May Hollis, on November 26, 2004.

Visitation for Mr. Norman "Sonny" Hollis will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 21, 2022, and will continue from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 22, 2022, in Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, 406 South Main Street, Vienna, Mo 65582, with his funeral service following at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, in the funeral chapel with Rev. Larry Sorrells, Vienna United Methodist Church, officiating.

Interment for Mr. Hollis will be in Vienna Public Cemetery by Birmingham-Martin in Vienna, with nephews, Craig Crum, Jason Crum, Travis Crum, Matt Hollis, Sean Hollis, and Kelly Hollis serving as pallbearers for their Uncle Norman.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Norman "Sonny" Hollis are suggested by his family to the Vienna Public Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund with envelopes at the funeral home or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, Mo 65582.