Donald Edward Holland of Chancellor, AL, passed away Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at his home. He was 71.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday December 8, 2025, at Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory with Reverand Jerry L. Lucas officiating. Burial with military honors will be held at 10:15 AM, Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Alabama National Cemetery, 3133 Highway 119, Montevallo, Alabama 35115. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00 PM until service time.

Donald Edward Holland was born January 28, 1954, to Mr. Dan and Mrs. Annie (Benton) Holland in Flint, Michigan. He graduated from Kearsky High School in Flint, Michigan in 1972. He continued his education by attending colleges and universities in Tennessee, Arizona, Michigan and received a Bachelor of Professional Aeronautics and Flight Technology from the University of Maryland.

He joined the United States Air Force in 1976 and completed his initial enlistment in 1980. In pursuit of his desire to fly, he later joined the United States Army in 1982 and became a Warrant Officer and Army Aviator. He flew multiple rotary wing aircraft to include the Cobra and Apache Attack Helicopters. His career consisted of multiple assignments and schools within and outside of the Continental United States. After retirement, he continued to work in Aviation with his last employment being General Electric Aerospace Division, Daleville, AL.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, food processing and preservation of wild game. His spare time was spent preparing and maintaining his equipment for these activities.

Donald was preceded in death by his father Dan Holland, and sister Genia Dawkins.

He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Kathy Holland, Chancellor, AL; his mother Annie Holland; four children, Dinah Holland, Daniel Holland, Kevin (Kimberly) Smith, Brandon (McKenzie) Smith; six grandchildren, Isabella Kringer, Kadynce Smith, Kingston Smith, Khira Smith, Keegan Vann and Alexander Smith; two sisters, Sandra (James) August and Doris (Larry) Motley; mother-in-law, Gracie Hamilton; sister-in-law, Connie Dacus; brother-in-law, Herbert (Shauntell) Jordan.

Serving the family as pallbearers are Kevin Smith, Daniel Holland, and Joshua Harvey.

The family of the late Donald Edward Holland would like to express our sincere gratitude to each and every one who supported us during our time of bereavement. You blessed our hearts tremendously. May God continue to bless you.

You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfunerealhome.com