Funeral Services for Retired 1SG Sylvester Holland, 83 of Killeen, Texas will be held on Thursday, July 8, 2021, 11:00 a.m. with Chisolm's Family Funeral Home in Killeen, Texas. Burial with full military honors will follow the service at Central Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.

Mr. Holland passed away June 23, 2021 in Killeen, TX. He was born May 28, 1938 in Danville, VA.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever ( Psalm 23:6).

The value of one's earthly tenure cannot be measured in its longevity, but in the purpose, one fulfills in route to eternity. Their earthly tenure finds significance through their experiential knowledge of the Creator. The substance of life is revealed through the Windows of their communion with their Savior and the stewardship of their time, talents, and treasure in service to the Glory of the Author and Finisher of their Faith!

The incarnation of the above Truth could not have been more evident than in the witness of Sylvester Holland's life.

Sylvester Holland was born to the parental stewardship of Eulas and Lonnie Holland on May 28, 1938, in Danville, Virginia. Reared in the fear and admonition of the Lord, he was inspired to accept Jesus as his Personal Savior at the tender age of twelve and was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia.

Shortly after completing his formal education in the public schools of Danville, Divine Providence brought him face to face with the rib God took out of him before placing her into the womb of her mother. The two were high school sweethearts. On September 6, 1957, he married the bone of bones and the flesh of his flesh in the enveloped in the priceless personality of Elizabeth Hubert Holland. The two remained inseparable companions for over fifty-nine years before her she preceded him in transition to Glory. Added to the beauty of their earthly bond were three beautiful children.

As a young man whose conviction for living was baptized in the river of responsibility, the first fruits of his resolve for earning a respectable income were invested honorably before he was drafted into the United States Army on February 1, 1962.

His initial training as a soldier took place at Fort Dix, New Jersey. His Advanced Individual Training took place at Fort Sill, Oklahoma as a Correctional Specialist. He served his country dutifully and diligently as such for no less than 12 years before deciding to change his Military Occupational Specialty. He attended the Military Police School at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and would spend the next 13 years devoted to duty as a Military Police until his honorable retirement in 1987.

His tour of duty includes but is not limited to the following places throughout the world: Italy, Korea, two tours in Germany and Vietnam, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he served at the only maximum-security facility in the United States as a correctional officer for five years.

In June of 1984, he was transferred to Fort Riley, Kansas, and assigned to the Post Confinement Facility as the Provost Sergeant. Later he would be assigned to Company "A" (LE) USAG as the First Sergeant.

He received innumerable awards and decorations to include but not limited to the following: The National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Bronze Star Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal (8th Award), NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Commendation Award, Expert M16 Rifle Badge, Marksman .45 Caliber Pistol Badge, and the Meritorious Service Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster.

His retirement afforded him no rest from the workforce as a civilian. In February of 1987, he was employed by the Bell Country Sheriff's Department as a Jailor. Later he was promoted to Corporal and then to Sergeant. In 1993 he attended the Central Texas Regional Police Academy (CTC) class 59 and graduated after more than 400 hours. Afterward, he was presented the prestigious Superintendent Award.

In 1994, he was selected as the Knight of Columbus Officer of the Year. He was moved to Court and Transportation Department, where his duties included escorting inmates to court, hospital, and dental appointments and transporting inmates from the surrounding Counties to Bell County. On September 25, 2000, he retired from the Bell County Sheriff Department as a Sheriff's Deputy after faithfully serving more than thirteen years.

The heart of his life in service to his country and people worldwide was inspired by his conscious commission as a soldier in the army of the Lord. No other person on the planet housed a more loving and dedicated passion that genuinely sought to meet the needs of others than Sylvester Holland. Beyond his membership as an occupant in the pews of the Marlboro church, he proactively served the needs of the youth and middle-aged with a unique interest in accommodating the holistic needs of elders. Whether they were members or non-members of Marlboro, he loved people out of his love for the Lord through service.

Among so many hats he wore beyond description, he served honorably as a former Deacon and Board of Director, Bus Minister, Usher, an untitled Evangelist, Bible Instructor, and an avid maker of Disciples.

His heart for Ministry to people aimed to meet the needs of their bodies, minds, and spirits. Brother Holland accomplished it, whether it was driving them to hospitals, hair and nail appointments, or grocery shopping to meet the needs of their bodies. Whether it was listening to learn how best to help brothers and sisters who may have been battling mental fatigue or emotional turmoil, Brother Holland made time to help. Whether it was receiving to give more to others for purposes of ensuring people had more than what they could give to him, Brother Holland made it happen. As a man of solid principles and unwavering convictions, Brother Holland's resolve for living honorably glorified God even at the expense of having to agree to disagree with those he loved most. The honor of his life is rooted in the godly legacy that will long outlast his earthly tenure.

Now absent from the mortal body, he has been divinely summoned to what we are sure is better than retirement on earth. His soul is now at Rest.

Among those who preceded his deliverance from the shores of this earthly realm are his parents, Lonnie and Eulas Holland; his wife, Elizabeth Jane Holland; three brothers, Calvin, Clinton, and Edgar Lee Holland; two sisters, Katerina Thompson, Jacquelin Logan, and Abelaris Dixon; and one son, Sylvester Holland Jr.

Among those who remain that will cherish the ongoing legacy of his life are his loving children, Aaron Ware of Lake Jackson, Texas, Myrakle Cleveland of Houston, Texas, and Sidney Holland of Honey Grove, Texas; siblings, Eulas Holland Jr (Patricia) of Atlanta, Georgia, Donald Holland (Beverly) of Danville, Virginia, Joyce Holland, of Waldorf, Maryland; grandchildren, Stratton, Asia'h, Dorian, Elysabeth, Jordyn, Avery, Eboni, Aaron'yana, Tatiana, Trevon, Sierra, Sidney Jr., and a host of other family members, loved ones and friends.