William H. Collins

William H. Collins

             A memorial celebration for longtime Lamar resident, William Collins will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, July 01, 2024 at the Church of Christ with Bon May officiating.

            William Harrison Collins was born on March 03, 1940, to William Otis and Martha K. “Kindness” (Brown) Collins in Evansville, Arkansas and passed away on May 08, 2024 at his home with his family by his side at the age of 84.

            He is better known as Bill Collins or ornery, stubborn old man; He attended Wiley School until the 9^th grade, afterward earning his master’s degree in BS from the “school of Hard Knocks”. He left this world on May 08, 2024 to go party with Jesus and those who have gone before him, including an infant son, his parents, and two brothers JC and Ivy Collins. He still has a lot of family left behind many whom shaped his life and contributed to his character. Those include four brothers and one sister and their spouse. He left behind and awesome lady that put up with him for nearly 63 years, you know her as Dorine. She gave him the best children in the world, Sheila, little William, Teresa, Rhonda, Nikki and Ryan (if you ask Ryan the others were just practice.) His children along with their spouses contributed a lucky 13 grandchildren to the mess. From there his family continues to grow (with no signs of slowing down) with 16+ great-grandchildren.

            Bill had what many would call different lives in the world, some good and some back, but through it all he ended right where God intended. He worked and retired from Jackson Cartage delivering all kinds of goods to businesses in town. He loved to tinker with anything to see how it worked. He always seemed to know how to fix anything without having to “Google” it, but maybe glancing at a Chilton’s Repair Manual. He loved airplanes, but never learned how to fly, even though he thought he could just go jump in and take off. He always had great stories and words of wisdom, most of the time in the form of telling you the hazards of your actions, then allowing you to choose whether to continue or heed his advice. Proceeding to laugh when you chose wrong with a good ol’ “I told you so” and “I bet you won’t do that again”. He loved babies and kids and for some reason they seemed to think his crap didn’t stink. Despite the fact that he couldn’t tread water, he was a lover of fishing or better yet sun bathing since he rarely caught anything, other that the occasional fish or turtle. Not only did he like to pick on his family and grandchildren, he was known to pick on the guitar when things were quiet something everyone will miss maybe Dorine will miss it well maybe… probably.

            What else can be said about this ornery, stubborn old man who was far from perfect but was willing to change his life around to become the perfect husband, father, grandfather and friend. He left this world at the age of 84 with love all around him, leaving many memories for generations.

            He is preceded in death by his infant son William Collins Jr., parents Otis and Martha Collins and brothers JC and Ivy Collins.

            William is survived by his wife Dorine Collins of the family home in Lamar, Colorado, brothers, Loran (Ann) Collins, Gene (Cathy) Collins, David (Sandra) Collins, Wilbur (Gail) Collins, sister Linda Collins, sister-in-law Elizabeth Collins, children Sheila (Tony) Turner, Teresa (Greg) Schaefer, Rhonda (Richard) Orndorff, Nikki (Nick) Petek, and Ryan (Tabatha) Collins. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Steven (Stormy) Turner, Neil (Katie) Turner, Jared (Priscilla) Turner, Elliott Turner, Broquell (Drew) Arguello, McKenzie Schaefer, Keaton Schaefer, Kelsie (Christopher) Walter, Nixon Petek, Nikland Petek, Kolten Collins, Tylee Collins, and Owen Collins and 16 plus great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and a host of friends.

            Memorial contributions may be made to the Lamar Area Hospice and/or Fresenius Kidney Care Lamar either direct or in care of the funeral home office.