Bill was born March 10, 1943 to Harry and Anna Elizabeth (Glasmeier) Hollister.
After high school, Bill joined the United States Marine Corps.
Bill joined the Middletown Police Department in 1968. He was assigned to the Canine Unit in 1969 with a partner, Duke. Officer Hollister became one of the original members of the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) in 1971. He was a national judge and trainer and has trained thousands of police dogs in the tri-state area. He was Chief Judge at many regional and national competitions and also served as the Central Vice President of the USPCA as well as the Ethics Committee Chairman. He remained a canine handler for the next 31 years with partners, Duke, Thor, Logan, Spenser, Custody, and Roc. Officer Hollister retired as a law enforcement officer in 2000, but remained Middletown’s head canine trainer until 2016, when he left with 45 years of service to his community.
His wife Marsha was also heavily involved in the Police K9 world and was a Regional and National Scorekeeper for the USPCA.
Canine Officer Hollister died on May 22, 2023 at the age of 80.
He was predeceased by his children, Tim Hollister, Gaylan Dawn Miller, and Terri Hall; and siblings, Robert Hollister and Mary Bales. Canine Officer Hollister is survived by his wife of 46 years, Zelda Marsha Hollister; daughters, Amy (Dave) Hobbs, Billie Nicole (Mike) Dingledine, Mary (Terry) Burton, Wendy (Mike) Adams, and Jodi (Jeff) Combs; grandchildren, Matthew (Monica) Scott, Megan Scott, Allison Burton, Andrew Burton, Kylie Dingledine, and Lucas Dingledine; siblings, Judy Roseberry and Jim (Barb) Hollister; and siblings-in-law, Kathy Hollister and Gary Bales.
Visitation and funeral services were held on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at the Berachah Church in Middletown. Military honors were presented at the church.
Memorials may be made to the United States Police Canine Association, Region 5, c/0 Doug Bueltel, 9637 Big Cynthiana Road, Evansville, IN 477020.
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