STEELHEAD, SALMON, DEER, AND ELK ALL OVER EASTERN WASHINGTON CELEBRATE THE PASSING OF HOLLIS ROBERTS, 82, OF KENNEWICK!

On November 1, surrounded by family, Hollis Wayne Roberts peacefully rose into the arms of his Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Hollis was born July 28, 1942, in Harrison, Arkansas to Hobert Hollis and Virginia June Roberts. He was the oldest of four siblings: Curtis, Phyllis, and Janis. His father, a farmer, moved the family to Cowiche, Washington after World War II, and later started a dairy farm in Granger, Washington that Hollis worked on with his brother Curtis until he graduated from Granger High School in 1961.

In 1967, he was drafted and served in the United States Army as a Special Forces forward observer in Vietnam, where he was awarded numerous medals and citations including two purple hearts and a Bronze Star with "V" for Valor. Upon returning home, he launched a successful sales career that would see him move from Seattle, to San Francisco, and Spokane, finally settling in the Tri-Cities in 1977. Over the next two decades, he won countless salesman of the month and salesman of the year awards, and enjoyed many "unscheduled" days off for hunting, fishing, and his children's' sporting events. Hollis loved the outdoors, but his true love was his children - six sons: Randy, Toby, Todd, Wayne, Tony, and Sam; and his daughter Wendy.

Hollis was a Master Salesman, world class storyteller, and loved to laugh. He was a Husband, Father, Grandpa, teacher, coach, and some say, the toughest guy they ever met. The void left by his absence is profound and deeply felt by those who loved him. The lessons of love for God, love for Country, and love for Family he taught his kids and grandkids will live on for generations.

Hollis is preceded in death by his parents, his son Anthony, and his grandson Austin. He is survived by his devoted wife Kathy, his three siblings, six children, sixteen grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.