William Buck Holliday

William Buck Holliday, 64, passed away Sunday, December 10, 2017 at his home in Quemado. He was born January 14, 1953 in Mountainair, New Mexico, the son of Buck Holliday and Betty Louise Walker Holliday. He was the oldest of six boys. William grew up in the Mountainair area until 1969 when his family moved to Belen. That was when he met and fell in love with Cheryl. After graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corps. On January 5, 1973 while on leave, he married his high school sweetheart, while serving his country from 1972-1976. Upon leaving the Marine Corps, they moved to the Quemado area where he worked on the Hubbell Ranch and several other ranches. In the early 80’s the family settled in Quemado where they raised their four children. He went to work for the Quemado Independent School for four years. After leaving the school, he went to work for the New Mexico DOT where he worked in Quemado, Datil and Fence Lake yards where he worked until he retired, April 1, 2013. On weekends, after retirement, he would help several ranches with branding, shipping and gathering cattle. He also was a volunteer for the Quemado Fire Dept. His first and last love was his family and anything he could do on the back of a horse. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Quemado Memorial Scholarship Fund. William is survived by his wife, Cheryl Lee Holliday of the family home; sons, William Lewis (Tiffany) Holliday, Rio Rancho; Buck (Jessica) Holliday, Milan, Tennessee; daughters, Nita Fay Holliday, Albuquerque; Windy Mae Kerns, Quemado; brother, Steve Dale (Judy) Holliday, Silver City; six grandsons, Buck Holliday, Jr., Jacob Tobias Holliday, Damian Michael Yates, William David Yates, Elijah James Holliday, William Donald Holliday, two granddaughters, Jasmine Marie Yates, Cheryln Nikole Holliday and several nieces and nephews. William was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Danny Lee Holliday, Kenneth Ray “Red” Holliday, Alton Frank Holliday and Carl Wayne Holliday. A Funeral Service will be held Friday, December 15, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Quemado, New Mexico High School old gym, with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow the funeral services at the Quemado, New Mexico Cemetery.