WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Man buried behind the wheel of his beloved Pontiac

Man buried behind the wheel of his beloved Pontiac

SALUDA COUNTY, SC (WIS) - It's something you don't hear about every day: a man's dying wish to be buried in his car. That's what happened Tuesday in Saluda County.

Lonnie Holloway was laid to rest at the age of 90 in his 1973 Pontiac Catalina Tuesday.

He believed in certain things, and what he believed in, he was going to carry it out. Lonnie Holloway made sure his wishes were granted up until the end.

"It's something he always wanted to do, but I didn't like it," said Holloway's sister, Sallie Harris.

Three years ago, Holloway broke the news about his funeral plans to his sister.

"He told me about it and I said, 'Holloway, don't make me ashamed.' He said, 'make you ashamed of what?' And I said 'being buried in a car.' He said 'if that's going to make you ashamed, you're going to be ashamed,"' recalled Harris.

It wasn't just any car.

It was a green 1973 Pontiac Catalina. That was his retirement gift to himself.  

Holloway didn't just request to be buried sitting in the driver seat of his favorite car. He also wanted something else.

"He said his guns might get in the wrong hands and kill someone. So he wanted his guns to go into the grave with him," said Harris.    

The news of Holloway's unique burial request didn't just attract cameras, but also curious spectators who said they had to see it to believe it.

It was a wish the Holloway family carried out for a man they will love, miss and always remember.

Holloway was buried next to his wife, Alice, who died two years ago.

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