Living the Life
He Almost Lost
Created as part of the 76th Missouri Photo Workshop
“Ain’t none of us gonna make it out alive,” Will Holliman, 45, says, as he prepares a tombstone to be set in its final resting place. Yet for Will, the end isn’t worth worrying about now. He’d rather focus on the present.
Will says he likely wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for a five-year prison sentence, during which he discovered a passion for poetry. He recorded around 200 poems in prison, but the book in which they were written was destroyed. Holliman, however, has memorized three of the poems about how his time behind bars clarified his priorities: savoring the precious fragility of life for himself and for those he loves.
When I look at life’s pleasures
And all the money I’ve spent
All the things that I’ve had
That have all come and went
I have to give thanks to the one thing that’s free
The gift of your love
That you’ve always shown to me.
Today, Will spends his days taking care of those who’ve passed, engraving tombstones and installing them in the cemetery as an employee at Whitener Monuments. The monument company is based in Kennett, Mo., but installs tombstones around Missouri and surrounding states. He spends his nights enjoying time with those he loves — his fiancé, Karissa Killian, and Killian’s kids, Pierson, 8, and Aubree, 6.
Will Holliman shovels dirt to make a hole for the cement foundation of a tombstone at Elmwood Cemetery on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Blytheville, Ar. Holliman has worked at Whitener Monument in Kennett, Mo. for nearly three years now, after he stumbled upon a sign in the front yard of the company that said they were looking for work.
Will Holliman loads a truck with a pair of tombstones ready to be set in the cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Kennett, Mo. The granite used to make the stones weighs around 220 lbs per square foot, requiring a crane to move them.
Will Holliman and his fiancé, Karissa Killian, lean against his truck to watch the annual Delta Fair Parade while Killian’s son, Pierson, 8, watches in the foreground on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Kennett, Mo. Holliman and Killian were friends for several years before they got engaged.
Will Holliman drives his fiancé’s son, Pierson, 8, to school on the morning of Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Kennett, Mo. Holliman’s two biological children, who are now in their early 20’s, were young when he went to prison. Now, he tries to be there for Pierson and his sister Aubree, 6.
Will Holliman prepares to install a tombstone at Quilin Cemetery with his colleague, George “Bump” Odom on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Quilin, Mo. In order to prevent the stone from becoming crooked or sinking, they dig a shallow rectangular hole and pour a cement base, finally setting the stone in place. The job requires precision and care.
Will Holliman talks to his boss, Glen Whitener, and George “Bump” Odom about where to place a tombstone at Elmwood Cemetery on Sept. 26, 2024 in Blytheville, Ark. Holliman said the best part of his job is working for “Mr. Glen”.
Will Holliman drives a crane on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Kennett, Mo. “Nobody comes to the cemetery to have a good time,” Holliman said. Nonetheless, he sees his job as important — it ensures those who’ve passed can find their peace.
Will Holliman gets gas on his way to school while his fiancé’s daughter, Aubree, 6, watches on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Kennett, Mo. “She has my heart,” Holliman said.
Will Holliman and Karissa Killian laugh on the couch after putting Killian’s children Aubree, 6, and Pierson, 8, to bed on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Kennett, Mo. The two will be married in April of next year.
Will Holliman heads out of the house with his fiancé’s children Aubree, 6, and Pierson, 8, to take them to school before heading to work on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Kennett, Mo. Karissa Killian, his fiancé, said her kids have started calling Holliman’s house “home”.