- Hollis Carlile. passed away on October 14, 2016 at the age of 91 due to complications from Alzheimer's Disease. Hollis became a very successful man in his field of Chemical Engineering over the course of his 30+ year career with Shell Oil. Although his adult years were proliferate, his early life was quite the opposite.
Hollis was born at home, as was the custom of the day, several weeks prematurely. When the visiting doctor initially examined him, he believed that Hollis had no chance of living so he indicated on his birth certificate that he was stillborn. This error proved confusing later in life (especially when he was drafted).
Hollis's parents were unable to care for Hollis and his brother Jack, so he was raised alternately by his beloved Grandmother Carlile and his much-revered Uncle Eddie. When Hollis reached high school, he returned to live with his father, an oil field roustabout. Due to the nature of the work, Hollis moved often, and attended several different high schools. Hollis finally settled with his father in Nacogdoches, TX, where he graduated as Valedictorian from Nacogdoches High School.
World War II saw Hollis being drafted, after he proved that he really was alive, and off he went into the Army Air Force as a B-17 Navigator. He was assigned to duty in England to run bombing missions over Germany; however, his assignment was so near the end of the conflict that he never flew any missions and was able to return home unharmed.
Thanks to the GI Bill, Hollis achieved his dream of attending the University of Texas School of Engineering and get his degree in Chemical Engineering. This is where he met his mentor and professor Dr. McKetta with whom he remained friends until his passing. About the time he graduated, he met Jacqueline on a blind date, and the two married after a short courtship. Hollis and Jackie were married for 63 years before her passing in 2014.
Hollis is survived by his five children, James, Mari, Grace, Gregg and Mark; his six grandchildren, Michael, Maxwell, Trevor, Alexander, Kristina, and Jessica; and his two great granddaughters, Cailean and Autumn.
Services will be held on November 12, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Mill Creek Christian Church on S Street in Bakersfield, CA.Published in Bakersfield Californian on Nov. 3, 2016
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1925 - 2016 (Age 91) 
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