Hollis Monaghan

George “Hollis” Monaghan, 74, died September 11, 2026.

Hollis was born December 29, 1951, in Memphis, Tennessee, to George Coy Monaghan and Beautie Ray Monaghan. He came from very little but built a full life centered around family, hard work, music, motorcycles, and more than a few good deals.

During the Vietnam War, Hollis served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Thailand. His service then brought him to Washington state. He made his home there, raised his family, and spent 25 years as a firefighter for the City of Renton.

Hollis liked to say his family wasn't poor, they were “just always broke.” But being broke rarely stopped him from doing something he wanted to do. When he wanted a tractor, he turned it into a business. When he wanted to ski, he drove a bus taking people to the mountains. His love of Harley-Davidsons led him to start a motorcycle escort business. He mainly escorted funeral processions and hired fellow firefighters and police officers to work with him. His love of boats led him to start a Sea Tow franchise in Washington. He also owned several espresso businesses over the years.

Introducing Hollis to Craigslist was like giving him a new playground. He could talk someone down on the price and somehow leave the seller feeling like they'd gotten a good deal, too. As Hollis liked to say, “Money talks, bullshit walks.”

Hollis was also generous with what he had. He volunteered with the Red Cross, shared what he had when someone had less, and was quick to lend a hand when someone needed one.

Above everything else, Hollis was a family man. To him, being a father wasn't about biology. It was about loving his children, taking care of them, teaching them, and being there for them. He raised his children to be independent and capable, to work with their hands, and to figure things out for themselves. Honesty mattered deeply to him. If you told Hollis the truth, you could count on him to have your back.

Hollis was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren, and he made sure to tell them often that he loved them and was proud of who they were. For a man who came from such humble beginnings, watching his family grow, build lives of their own, and thrive meant everything to him.

Hollis shared about 30 years of marriage and family life with Gena Monaghan, and together they raised a beautiful blended family in Washington. After their divorce in 2012, Hollis returned to the South. A big part of what drew him home was the chance to be closer to his brothers, Jim and Buford.

He and Buford loved riding motorcycles, taking trips to the mountains, listening to the old folks play music at the country jam, and dancing at the VFW. Jim may have been the “annoying little brother,” but Hollis always had a big brother's instinct to look out for him. He also trusted Jim completely. When Hollis reached the end of his life, he wanted both of his brothers with him—and they were.

Soon after returning South, Hollis met Wanda Watters, his partner for the rest of his life. They danced, traveled, rode his motorcycle, spent long days on the boat, searched for treasures at estate sales and thrift stores, and sometimes simply took off for a drive. At home, they sat on the porch talking, cuddled up watching television, and started their mornings with coffee together on the swing.

Music was always part of Hollis's life, especially Motown, and he was a talented singer and dancer. He was also a storyteller. Those closest to him got to know his favorite stories by heart.

Hollis was remarkably tough. He lived with cancer through much of his time in Mississippi, first throat cancer and later lung cancer. He went into remission twice and went through years of treatment. Through it all, he continued to enjoy his life with Wanda, spend time with his family, and do the things he loved. Eventually, the cancer and years of treatment took a toll his body could no longer overcome.

Hollis is survived by his partner, Wanda Watters; his brothers, James “Jim” Monaghan and Buford Monaghan; and his children, Lita O. Monaghan (Eric Bergson), Patricia Monaghan, Jesse Dean (Laurynda Long), Nickolas Dean (Amanda Reese), and Malcolm Monaghan (Jullia Cash).

He was grandfather to Georgia Monaghan-Bergson, Kelsey Monaghan-Bergson, Beautie Ray Korth, Ramsey Finn Johnson, Dylan Dean, Axel Dean, Anika Dean, and Chrystella Godfrey. His grandchildren also included Fah Bunyalug and Fon Bunyalug in Thailand, whom he loved as his own.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Coy Monaghan and Beautie Ray Monaghan.

Hollis built a life that was anything but small. He worked hard, loved deeply, shared what he had, and filled his life with family, adventure, music, and people he cared about.

Years ago, his son-in-law's grandfather, Harry Lipsett, gave Hollis a simple piece of advice: when you can help someone, do it. Hollis repeated those words for the rest of his life. More importantly, he lived by them.

When Hollis could help someone, he did.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM on Monday, September 14, 2026 at Cleveland Moffett Funeral Home in Amory. Visitation will be held prior to the service on Monday from noon until 2 PM.