— Joe Holland, 64, of Athens passed away peacefully at home Thursday, April 19, 2012, with his family after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born June 7, 1947, to Grady and Mary Holland of Athens.  Joe was a loving, kind, faithful, devoted and gentle husband and father; grandfather, brother, friend and neighbor. Joe accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and joined Isom's Methodist Church at an early age.

Joe was preceded in death by his loving parents, Grady Holland, who was the Limestone County commissioner for 25 years and Mary Holland of Athens.

Joe is survived by his loving, devoted and faithful wife Judy; his wonderful son, Dee, precious daughter-in-law, Robin, and their two children, Matthew and Anna of Athens; his wonderful son, Chris, precious daughter-in-law, Velvet, and their two children, Connor and Lindsey, of Athens; his stepson, Michael Cook, daughter-in-law Kristin, and their two children, Madeline and Samantha, of Camden; brother, John Raymond Holland, sister-in-law Jane, sister Nancy Agee, brother in-law John Agee; twin sister Jane Holland, all of Athens; and a host of precious nieces and nephews.

Joe loved life, his family and his friends. He enjoyed his last 12 years of life living on the creek with his wife, children and grandchildren. Joe was always there for his family, his friends or anyone needing a helping hand. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and the best neighbor anyone could ask for.

Joe graduated from East Limestone High School and enlisted in the military on Feb. 6, 1966, and retired with 38 honorable years of service from the Alabama Army National Guard.

Joe also worked with Solutia and retired with 12 years of service and was then hired at Delphi in Athens, where he retired with 30 years of faithful service and where he enjoyed working with the many friends and employees that he worked with at Delphi.

Joe was an active member of the Alabama National Guard Enlisted Association and the Enlisted National Guard Association of the United States.

Pallbearers are Sherman Hargrove, Randall Norton, Tommy Davis, Brad Tanksley, Steve Boatwright and Stan Thompson. Honorary pallbearers are the men and women of the 117th Air Refueling Wing Alabama Air National Guard, Birmingham, and the men and women of the Alabama Army National Guard

Special thanks to Dr Jeremy Hon and nurse Janice Taylor and staff, and infusion nurses at Clear View Cancer Center, Limestone County Hospice, Minister Bill Perkins of Central Church of Christ, Pastor Eddie Gooch of Isom's Methodist Church and all the family and friends for the care given and love shown to our precious loved one.

The family will receive visitors at Limestone Chapel from 6-9 p.m. Saturday. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Limestone Chapel with burial to follow in Roselawn Cemetery in Athens.

Sign the online guestbook at http://limestonechapel.com.