Hamilton – William Hollis Poe, 74, beloved husband, father, and Christian pastor, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, October 3, 2021 at Community Medical Center in Missoula. After a brave fight with COVID, Hollis, a resident of Ravalli County, passed away to glory at the age of seventy-four with his loving wife, Jeannie, at his side.
Hollis was born January 21, 1947 in Houston, Texas to Coy and Edna Mae Poe. At the tender age of six, Hollis knew his direction in life. With his father hot on his heels, Hollis crawled under the pews of South Park Baptist Church where his father served as a deacon and ran directly to the alter dedicating his life to Jesus Christ and the Lord’s work. With his father, Deacon Coy’s support, Hollis prevailed in his mission to dedicate his life for nearly seven decades. On September 27, 1984, Hollis married Imogene “Jeannie” Elitzer with whom he shared his life and ministry. In 1997, he and his wife Jeannie founded All Nations Ministries. Over the years, he has faithfully taught, counseled and preached to multitudes of devoted Christians and established a tent ministry that ministered from Minneapolis to Arizona and throughout the western United States.
Hollis graduated from Anacortes High School, Anacortes, Washington in 1966. He completed close to six decades of service as an entrepreneur, craftsman and long-haul trucker. Over the years, he served the County Commissioners and community of Ravalli County on various boards. Since 2004, Hollis, alongside his wife, Jeannie, represented Ravalli County as GOP State Committee Man and Woman. Both were instrumental in the writing of the current Montana GOP State Party Platform and have staunchly fought for the Right to Life.
Hollis was known as a kind, generous, intelligent man who inspired people with his hope and faith in God. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, minister, and friend. He was serious about his work for the Lord, but he was also known for his sense of humor and amiable personality. He was a man of many interests, who aspired to be both knowledgeable and proficient in whatever he was doing.
Hollis leaves behind his loving wife, Jeannie Elitzer Poe; three children: Rebecca Poe, Jennifer “Hazen” Poe and Rachel Poe. He was the grandfather of seven: Aylah McQueen Poe, Cameron Poe, Jesse Poe, Arlee Jade Whitaker, Hunter Poe, Hayden Poe and Bimini Poe, as well as nieces and nephews residing all over this nation and his congregation and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister; grandchild, Jesse Poe and son, Lt. Colonel B.H. Poe. A Celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 16, 2021 at The River Church located at 354 Cooper Lane, Hamilton, MT at 1:00PM. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.