Walt Holland, a well known Helena resident passed away Friday. Walt was born on May 24, 1923 and raised in Helena and called Helena home for more than 93 years.
Walt attended Helena High School, and dropped out to join the service when WWII broke out, but he wasn’t 18 yet, so he worked in the Butte mines until he could join. Walt served in the Navy and spent much of the war aboard the USS California.
Walt married Laurene Miller in 1946, and after their divorce in 1981, he was married to Nora Jerome until her death in 2006.
After the war, Walt worked at a number of jobs before finding work with his second passion, cars. The Helena Ford dealer hired him in 1947 as a Partsman, and by the late 1950s he was Sales Manager and a part owner of Capital Motors. In 1957, he broke off from Capital Motors and opened a Used Car Lot, Holland Auto Sales, where he sold cars, trucks, horse trailers, and you name it for 25 years. The lot became a place to hang out for farmers in the winter, cowboys between rodeos and friends stopping by for a visit. It’s where Walt gained hundreds of close friends. A handful might have bought cars and trucks from him, but he bought them all lunch regardless.
Walt also had a ranch in the Helena Valley where he raised hay and trained rodeo horses. Walt was involved with rodeo in one way or another from the mid 1950s on. Besides competing for nearly 30 years, he was involved with the High School Rodeo Association, a past Co-Chairman of the Last Chance Stampede, and was always to be found helping at the local rodeos. Walt is probably best known for the young people he taught to ride, rope or bulldog. He was recognized by the High School Rodeo Association, the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Walt always had the best hay fields, his white fences always had fresh paint, and his ranch was a showcase in the Helena valley. There was no limit to his energy, and he wasn’t one to sit and watch television. After retiring from the car business, Walt found he didn’t have enough to do. He had always shod his own horses, and shod horses for a few friends, but at the tender young age of 60, he started shoeing horses professionally. Pretty soon, he was averaging 8 horses a day, which is a lot of work for a young farrier, let alone a man in his 60s. He became known as the “go to” farrier for rodeo people, and while almost all other shoers travel to their customers, he was so talented and well respected his customers had to bring their horses to him. He was forced to stop shoeing at the age of 72 due to heart problems.
Throughout his life, Walt was the neighbor you called when you needed help moving cows, putting up hay, repairing your 4-wheeler, or just an ear to listen to your troubles. He never turned anyone down. Even in his late 80s, he was still often on his horse helping a neighbor move cows or crawling on the ground fixing their swather.
Though they loved him dearly, his grandkids were reluctant to go Christmas shopping with Walt. He couldn’t walk twenty feet through the mall without stopping to visit with a neighbor or old friend. A few minutes of shopping involved hours of shooting the breeze.
Walt is survived by son Mike Holland of Redmond, OR and daughter Judith Binkley of Townsend, and 8 great grandchildren.
A Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, December 29th at Retz Funeral Home, 315 E. 6th Avenue. Burial with military honors will follow the service at Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery, Fort Harrison. A reception will follow the burial at Fox Ridge Supper Club, 4020 Lake Helena Drive. Please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Walt.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Thursday December 29, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Follolwing the Service
Thursday December 29, 2016
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
3550 Hero's Road
Fort Harrison , Montana 59636
Reception
Following the Burial
Thursday December 29, 2016
Fox Ridge Supper Club
4020 Lake Helena Drive
Helena , Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Thursday December 29, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Follolwing the Service
Thursday December 29, 2016
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
3550 Hero's Road
Fort Harrison , Montana 59636
Reception
Following the Burial
Thursday December 29, 2016
Fox Ridge Supper Club
4020 Lake Helena Drive
Helena , Montana 59602
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GREG MORGENSEN says
So many memories with Mike and Walt. Picking up cars in Great Falls, spending time at the barn, listening to his stories at the car lot. A true Helena character loved by all. He may be gone but he will never be forgotten. To his family, rejoice in the fact that you got to share your life with this wonderful man.
Fred and Tracie Colter says
Will treasure our horseshoe picture frames forever Walt. Proud to have known you and wishing you happy trails….
Steve and Jean Sautter says
Walt and my Dad were in the car business together in the ’50s and remained friends and business associates for decades. I did a lot of business with Walt in the ’70s and always enjoyed dealing with an honest “car guy”; sadly he was the last survivor of my formative years in the auto business. He will be missed. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Walt’s family. God speed.
Curt Pate says
Walt has been a mentor all my life. When I was a kid, he shaped my image of a rodeo cowboy. In my junior rodeo days, we got our first 2 horse trailer and a Rocky Mountain camper. High school he helped me to become a cowboy, and I will never forget the confidence and encouragement he gave me ground dogging steers and getting down off a horse the first time in his arena on his good horses.
The greatest lessons are from watching how he lived. He always was helping people and was a example of how to live right. He was what I thought of as cowboy as a kid, but now I think of him as a cowboy and a whole lot more.
Norm & Darlene Scott says
Mike and Family, We are so sorry to hear of Walt’s passing. It is never easy, even tho we know it is coming at some time. Walt chose to spare us for a long time. May I compliment you on a very well written obituary. He certainly gave you many life experiences to write about. Anyone that has ever lived in Helena, has a story about a Walt Holland experience. Norm and I were just sitting here talking about some of our experiences, from our youth to adult. There are just too many to write down. Of course, Norm’s are about the rodeo and mine, because we are family, are more personal. Just talking about them, puts a smile on our face. I’m sure that the many fond memories that you have of your Dad will make this difficult time easier. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tex Pate says
I bought my first car from Walt and a few more after that. He mounted me on his roping and dogging horses when I was just starting to rodeo. He enjoyed helping young people as much as we loved getting his advice, knowledge and encouragement. He was a good friend and a great cowboy. He will be missed by all who knew him. I wish we were in Montana for the funeral and to extend our sympathy to his family.
Glen Cuchine says
My dad, Charlie, took me to see Walt when it was time for me to purchase my first car. My dad said Walt was one of the few people in the auto dealer business who could be trusted completely. Walt treated me like an adult and I purchased several more autos later on. The little lot he operated on Last Chance Gulch was great. Helena has lost a great man and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. May the many memories of this super guy sustain you at this difficult time.
Joe, Wanda and Angie Enger says
Such a kind person and so giving of his time and talents.
“A good citizen is the man who, whatever his wealth or his poverty, strives manfully to do his duty to himself, to his family, to his neighbor, to the states. . . ” Teddy Roosevelt
He was a good man!
Phil & Lois Ranf says
Walt was a great brother-in-law. Seems like he had a knack for showing up when you were in the middle of a project, willing to lend a helping hand. He was not just family, he was a good friend and a hero for his country. He so loved working with young people, helping his friends and neighbors and telling a good story. You will be greatly missed Walt. “Till we meet again my friend”.
Bill, Kathy, Chance and Cody Bahny says
There are so many memories of Walt. His friendship was genuine and he was always there to help, from teaching roping, girls steer undecorating and all girl rodeo supporter to training tips and riding partner. The times spent holding horses while he shod them held many stories rodeos and times past will always be remembered. His love of helping, especially kids, has touched to many lives to be listed. He was truly a remarkable person.
Nick Nicolay says
Breakfast at the 4Bs. Selling and swapping my vehicles and horse trailers. Selling me Dusty. One of the most generous people I ever knew. I was fortunate seeing Walt and Nora at the real estate office my last time in Helena. I was so lucky to know Walt. I am saddened at his passing.
Keith and Gail Hatch says
As rough as the exterior was, his heart and soul were the contrast. Walt was a kind, loving, generous, and warm-hearted human being to young and old, critter or human. It was an honor knowing him and Nora, and my memories are fond of the ol’ cowboy. He so loved the kids, and loved helping them as well as giving them a bad time!!! His support of the HS Rodeo team in Helena went above and beyond, as well as his involvement in the Last Chance Stampede, the All Girl Team Rodeo, and the many 4H clubs and kids. Thanks for the memories, Walt, you were one in a million, we could all take note to be more like you. You will be missed.
Lisa Suden Seter says
Walt always had a ready smile and was generous with his time and so strong. He beat my brother Steve, who was a gymnast and very muscular, doing fingertip tip push-ups. He was 60 at the time.
Stacie Anderson says
Papa I will miss knowing you are there everyday. My heart will be full of good memories. You taught me how to rope and love the sport and then I went off and married me a guy with horse allergies! You have been there for me for 35 years of my life. Thanks for loving my mom and being the best papa ever to my kids! Rest in peace Walter B.
Tom Brown says
Walt was my friend for years; he gave me jobs when I was at Carroll transporting cars for his lot. Many wild rides home. I always felt welcome at his office and the BS got deep there. Walt bought me lunch for years, hauled my horses to jackpots and let me practice at his arena as if it was mine. I probably bought a dozen cars from him – from $300 to new.
I always admired his independent business skills which made him successful in a tough business. Walt had a great sense of humor and enjoyed a
good laugh.