Emin Bay “E.B.” Holley Jr., 85, followed the light peacefully on May 9, 2017 with his loving family at his side. E.B. was born in Newport News on July 4, 1931 to Emin Bay Holley Sr. and Pauline Yates Holley.

Much of his childhood was spent in Ironto in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia and he returned to Newport News at age 12 after losing his father. E.B. joined the Army at 16 during the Korean War and served four years. After returning to Newport News, he graduated from Newport News High School and went on to college at Indiana Tech. He was a certified land surveyor and owned his own business in Hampton and later in Smithfield for 35 years. E.B. loved music and played the banjo. Though not a joiner, he was an honorary member of the Smithfield Kiwanis Club. He retired at 78 and loved fishing on his boat with friends, family and Sparky, winning many citations. He would have been 86 on the Fourth of July, and we will miss the bushel of crabs that he always steamed for us. He was a firecracker. All agreed. 

E.B. was preceded in death by his parents, Emin Bay Holley Sr. and Pauline Yates Holley Sigler; stepfather, William R. Sigler; sister, Barbara Jean Holley Waldron; and his father-in-law and best friend, James E. Wilson. 

Survivors include his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Joanne Wilson Holley; his beautiful daughters, Teresa Ann Holley Ipson and husband, Ronny Ipson and Elaine Kay Holley; and his best buddy, Sparky. He is also survived by his brother Dr. David W. Holley and his wife, Estelle Renner Holley; his sister, Louellen Ann Holley Weaver; and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. 
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 27 at First United Methodist Church of Fox Hill at 2 p.m. The family asks that donations be made to the Peninsula SPCA, 523 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601, the United Methodist Church of Fox Hill, 1 Salt Pond Road, Hampton, VA 23664, or a charity of choice in lieu of flowers.