Donald Lee Holley

Donald Lee Holley was born November 21, 1966, in Trenton, Michigan. He was the only son born to the union of Donnie Holley and Nancy (Gerdes, Holley, Jackson) Unsworth. Donald attended Woodhaven High School, graduating with the class of 1984.
For more than twenty-six years, Donald worked on the assembly line for the Ford Motor Company. He retired in 2008.
In 1996, at Gigi's Caberet in Detroit while enjoying a night out, Donald met Willliam "Bill" Snyder. In the almost 30 years the couple became inseparable. On March 6, 2019, at the Monroe County Courthouse, they made their union official and vowed to love each other for the rest of their lives.
Don enjoyed being outdoors whether he was cutting the lawn, cultivating the soil so Bill could plant his flowers and vegetables, or just taking in what Mother Nature offered. He liked traveling to Lotz, Florida where he lived for a brief time or visited Dollywood, one of his all-time favorite destinations. The couple purchased matching rings in Dollywood, one of their many highlights as a couple. Don also appreciated the comforts of home when he wasn't on the go. When lounging on the couch he was often joined by his fur babies: Toby the Chihuahua and his two cats: Lexi and Sasha watching his all-time favorite movie, Mommy Dearest.
Donald had a dry sense of humor. He loved unconditionally with his whole heart and wasn't afraid to tell you how he felt. He enjoyed spending time with his husband: Bill and his Godson: Joshua Inasy and tried to be the best person he could to everyone who knew him.
Donald Lee Holley, age 59 of Newport, Michigan passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday; November 25, 2025, at Corewell Health Trenton Hospital. His passing was preceded by his mother: Nancy Unsworth.
To cherish Donald's memory, he leaves his husband of six years: William "Bill" Holley; a brother: Richard (Julie) Jackson; a nephew: Anthony Jackson; and his Godson: Joshua Inasy.
Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 4:00pm on Friday; December 5, 2025, at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of His Life will begin at 4:00pm also at Merkle's with Pastor BJ McDaniel of One Way Christian Fellowship in Monroe officiating. Cremation has taken place through Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan, a division of Merkle Enterprises, Inc.
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