Melvin Dill Holland

    Melvin Dill Holland, age 89, passed away on July 25, 2021, in Georgetown, Texas, surrounded by his loved ones. Dill had lived in the Georgetown area since 2012, moving there from Lake Brownwood to be closer to family.
    Dill was born July 17, 1932, in Sipe Springs, Texas. He spent his early life in West Texas, where he met and married Wanda Jean Robinson, known as “Jeannie,” on December 2, 1952, in Lamesa, Texas. Only a few short months after, they had their first big adventure as a couple, moving to Panama for 18 months where Dill served as a radar operator with the army. Upon his return, he also served as a volunteer fireman in Lamesa.
    Dill and Jeannie settled the family in Odessa, Texas, where he owned a television repair shop, Fairmart Electronics, for 30 years. There they raised three children and Dill’s younger brother, who become more like a son. Friday night lights were all too real in the Holland household, and Dill and Jeannie never missed a chance to cheer on Permian football. They made lifelong friends, and this is where the age-old pastime of fish fries began—a tradition Dill held for many years to come. Eventually retiring and moving to Lake Brownwood, they spent many happy years on the lake.
    He was not a simple man, but he loved the simple things. He valued hard work and provided a good life, but he prioritized leisure and family and spent his time intentionally. If he wasn’t on the golf course, he was on the lake fishing. Some say the fish population in Brownwood has bounced back since he moved away. 
    Even though his own childhood was difficult, he wasn’t hardened, but rather it gave him perspective on the meaning of family. Known to his grandkids as Papa “Pickle,” a name that captured the silliness and affection he shared, he was soft-hearted and caring. “You want to go to the candy store?” was a question he asked all too often, and they never tired of hearing it. If there was a dog within sight, he was bound to find it and pet it. If for some reason they didn’t take to him at first, he always had a way of winning them over (endless treats!).  
    Old country music, John Wayne westerns, light beer, fried fish, fresh peaches, and loved ones were about all he needed in life. He had a way of knowing what really mattered, choosing his wife, his children, and his grandkids first—everything else was secondary to his love for family.
     He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jeannie Holland; brother, Jackie Thompson; children, Marty (Linda) Holland, Ricky (Diane) Holland, and Debbie (Jay) Mullis; grandchildren, Amy (Autumn) Holland, Alli Holland, Matt (Tanya) Holland, Melissa (Josh) Robbins, Mackenzie (Tanner) Odom, and Josh and Dawson Holland; one great-grandson, August Holland. 
    Memorial services will be announced at a later date.
    The next time you have fresh watermelon or tomato, add a dash of salt in honor of Dill.
– Press-Reporter obituary services