Camp Courageous is saddened by the passing of Wil Hollis, 83, of Marion, IA.  Wil wished for his memorials to go to Camp Courageous (www.campcourageous.org/donate/), which is extremely humbling to Camp.

I did not meet Wil until 1980, 45-years ago, but always loved listening to Tail & Dotty Cummins tell me stories about Will Hollis, as they covered him extensively working the sports department of WMT radio and television. Wilburn Hollis was legendary.  A real hero of his time.  Wil was born in Possum Trot, Mississippi November 12, 1940.  He lived in Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska from the age of 9 to his completion of high school.  There he excelled in sports and had a good competitive nature.  Tait talked about University of Iowa Football Coach, Forest Evashevski, recruiting Wil to play for the Hawkeyes.  Wil was Iowa’s quarterback from 1959-1961.  During his time at the University of Iowa, Wil became the first African American to earn All-America accolades.  He was recognized as a second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honoree in 1960.  He scored 68 points his junior campaign, the most scored by a Hawkeye since 1922.

My point in bringing forth Wil’s exceptional sports background is the fact, what an honor it is, that a person so gifted and talented, would think of those who have much different gifts and talents, for his memorials.  It is not only heartwarming, but speaks volumes for the character of Wil Hollis.

In 1985 Life Investors (later Aegon and now Transamerica) celebrated their 25^th Anniversary by having a raffle of a McLaren sports car, with the proceeds going to Camp Courageous. The drawing was on Valentine’s Day and a University of Iowa student won.  About $55,000 was raised.  This was Camp’s largest one-time donation to date.  Members of this committee included (L-R back) CEO of Life Investors and former Iowa Governor, Bob Ray; Marie Swope, Wilburn Hollis, Cheryl Hollingsworth, Pat Ryan, Art Christoffersen (also a Camp Board Member at the time) and Charlie Stortz.   (L-R front) Pat Baird, Theron (Tommy) Thomsen (also a Camp Board Member) and Jim Kuchenbacher.  This team worked their hearts out for Camp and became lifetime friends, and their picture has been on display in the Camp Office for 40-years!

For decades Wil and Nadine have been supportive of Camp in a number of ways.  Living a short distance from Camp Board Member, Sheri Grawe, they often had things for Camp and the Camp Garage Sale.

Camp’s sympathy goes out to Wil’s wife of nearly 50-years, Nadine Griffin Hollis, along with family and friends.

-Charlie Becker