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Lloyd Holladay

George M. and Beulah Holladay welcomed their son Lloyd into the world on May 8, 1908.  He was reared on a wheat farm near Reardon and experienced all the rigors and hard labor of a farmer first-hand.  During his high school years he took his turn driving from 8-12 head of horses on a 3-bottom 16" Oliver plow.

His folks quit farming and moved before Lloyd graduated.  He finished his upper grades at Lewiston, Idaho, graduating from there in 1927.

It didn't take Lloyd long to decide farming -- wheat or otherwise -- wasn't what he cared to pursue as a livelihood.  He was interested in the intricate repair of motors and as soon as he graduated, returned to Reardon and apprenticed to work for William J. Colville who owned a garage there.  He learned the mechanic trade easily and as soon as his two year apprenticeship was completed, moved to Cheney where he entered the employ of C.A. Ratcliffe Ford Co. in that capacity.

 In 1932 he married Lucille Paul in a ceremony in Spokane.  They had two daughters:  Doris and JoAnn.

The first step in realizing his goal of owning his own business took place in 1943 when he and a partner, Lyle Graham, bought the Zay Garage on First and G Streets, where the Washington Mutual Bank is now located.  In 1935 Lloyd became sole owner and acquired the dealership for Chrysler-Plymouth effective June 1st the same year.  In 1940 he bought the lot and building, completely remodeled the old garage into a modern facility with spacious showroom for new cars, and handled Texaco products.  The grand opening was held in 1941.

The business expanded from time to time, proof of his expert management skill.  Two adjoining lots were purchased in order to add a used car lot facing on First St.  In 1948 he tore down two old buildings on his property; one was the old GAR Hall and the other a repair shop.

Lloyd continued in business at the same location until 1964 when he sold the stock and equipment to Ivan Kerr and Millard Hale, leasing them the lot and building.  Both were former Ratcliffe employees.  After transfer of ownership Lloyd stayed on to sell his used car inventory and clear away the 30 year accumulation of other items.

Through the years here Lloyd was active in city government, serving on the City Council from 1943 to 1948 when he was elected Mayor.  He retained this office for two consecutive four-year terms, from June 1, 1948 - June 1, 1956.  In 1948 bids were called for power supply for the City of Cheney, with Bonneville Power submitting the low bid, cutting costs by 4% under WWP.  The savings to consumers resulted in a tie with the City of Tacoma for the lowest electric rates in the State of Washington the first year of the Bonneville contract.  This trend continued during subsequent years.

Improvements under Mayor Holladay included the construction of the new City Light and Power Company building on Second St.  City offices adjoined, with a fire station, three piece apparatus room and six-man dormitory for firemen.  The upper floor contained a new auditorium completely providing stainless steel appliances for the kitchen area.  At that time City Light Dept. employees were Patricia Frasier, Clerk and Bookkeeper; Roy Foss, Dept. Accountant; Helen Beall, City Clerk and Agnes Bryson, Treasurer.  A dedication ceremony featured Mayor Holladay as principal speaker.  Willard Bernard, councilman and chairman of the Light Dept. and other council members took part in the dedication.  American Legion and all veteran's groups participated in the flag raising.  A free dance in the auditorium concluded the gala event.

 Improvements under Mayor Holladay continued, with a new city reservoir and new water mains installed at the cost of $68,000.00.  Water rates were raised from $1.50 to $1.75 a month, with bonds sold to finish the water works improvements.  Bonds at that time carried 2.09% interest on the amount of $90,000.00.

Aside from business and duties in city government there were many hobbies in Lloyd's life.  He was an avid sportsman who loved to hunt, fish and trapshoot.  The latter sport led to national recognition in 1950 when he entered competition in Vandalia, Ohio.  He broke 97 out of 100 to lead Washington trapshooters in the Grand American handicap, then broke 100 straight as shooter in the world's handicap squad.

For years Lloyd was a member of the "Night Owls" dance orchestra which was made up of local and Spokane area musicians.  The group was popular for miles around and in demand for dances.  Cheney members of the group were Charles Salt, sax and clarinet; Lloyd Holladay, saxophone; Kyle Pugh, violin and bass fiddle; Roy Hanson, drums, and Betty Menig, piano.

Fraternal order memberships were in the Temple Lodge #42 F. and B.M.; 32nd degree Scottish Rite and El Katif Shrine in Spokane.  He was active in the local Lodge and was a member of the El Katif Shrine band for 20 years.

1967 saw changes for the Holladays.  They sold their home here and moved to Spokane where they have now resided for the past 22 years, although contacts with their Cheney friends have continued.  Following the move, Lloyd taught for 6 years in the Automotive Department at Spokane Community College.

After full retirement, lessons in oil painting led to his hobby of depicting wildlife and landscape scenes which has brought favorable comments from other artists.  Several Cheney friends are proud to display his artistic talents in their homes.

In recognition of his years of service to the community as Mayor and private citizen, a street in Salnave Addition was named in his honor: Holladay Drive.

Contributed by Ellen Proctor, 1988.