Fallen Hero: Retired Lieutenant Colonel Holly Piner

Duck Hill, MS


Funeral Home

McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service

4817 Commerce St. Grenada, Mississippi

Visitation

Service

 

McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service

 


Obituary

Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:

Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we s a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on Nov 27, 2024 and has moved on to his heavenly home.  Retired Lieutenant Colonel Holly Piner, age 86, who had served within the MSARNG within the 890th EN Bn, Shelby ISU, and McCain Det 2 STARC has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.  Holly had served as the Director of Facilities Engineers at Shelby and later with Camp McCain as a Warrant Officer.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.  A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Soldier.  We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Another great Soldier has gone home,O “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.

Obituary, visitation, and services:

Lt. Col. Holly Aubrey Piner(RET), 86, of Duck Hill, passed away Wednesday, November 28, 2024.  He was born December 14, 1937 in Columbia, MS to Holland Bates and Elma Craft Piner.  Holly 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 4 days in the Mississippi Army National Guard.  Holly 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.  He was a member of Duck Hill Baptist Church.  Holly brought life and great conversation to any room he entered.  He was a fine man and a loyal Patriot.  May he rest in peace.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada with Rev. Tim Buchanan and Rev. Archie Goodwin officiating.  Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at McKibben and Guinn.  Holly will be interred at noon on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in the Piner Family Plot in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia, MS.  Full military honors will be rendered.

Survivors include a special cousin who also was his caregiver, Pat Ellis; and several nieces and nephews.

Holly is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara Nell Ezell Piner; son, Gregory Holly Piner; sister, Sandra Kline and a brother, Ted Leroy Piner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Duck Hill Baptist Church.

Online condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.mckibbenandguinn.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, (662-307-2694).