Auburn’s oldest alumnus celebrated his 105th birthday Wednesday in Henry County.
William H. Holley, known by most as simply “Doc” Holley, was treated to a reception and special presentation by the Auburn University Alumni Association at Henry County Health and Rehabilitation in Abbeville.
Friends, relatives and two representatives from the university attended the birthday bash.
Gwen Whitlock of Alumni Affairs presented Holley with a commemorative book depicting Auburn University throughout the years. She also gave him a gift package containing, among other items, a National Championship pin.
“These are hard to come by,” said Whitlock.
Stacy Lipscomb, art director for Auburn Magazine was also at the reception. She first met Holley in 2010 when the magazine did a six-page spread on him when he turned 103.
“The records going back that far are spotty,” she said, “but as far as we can find, he’s our oldest living alumnus. He certainly has the most complete record that far back.”
Holley, who is originally from Samson, graduated from Auburn in 1929. Back then, the school was known as Alabama Polytechnic Institute, and he received his degree through the college’s pharmacy program.
“His diploma is printed on actual sheepskin,” said Lipscomb. “He’s a very special person. I had the opportunity to spend some time with him when he turned 103. He’s a very salt-of-the-earth type of person. He’s a people person, a hard worker all his life. It was an honor to spend time with him.”
Holley fought in World War II and helped establish a hospital on the Seine River in France. After the war, he purchased White’s Pharmacy in Headland, his wife Martha’s hometown, and renamed it Holley’s Pharmacy.
“Doc” Holley owned and operated Holley’s Pharmacy for almost three decades, raising two children and doting on their grandchildren.
Patronage of Auburn University’s educational system runs in the Holley family. In the past 80 years, three more generations of Holley’s family have attended Auburn.
Holley’s daughter, Elizabeth Holley Caneer, was one of several family members who attended the special birthday celebration on Wednesday. She said her dad enjoys being a part of Auburn’s legacy.
“He enjoys it so much,” she said.
As for “Doc” Holley, his take on being Auburn’s oldest alumnus is simple.
When asked what he thought about the designation, he quipped, “There’s nothing I can do about it.”
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