On August 8, 2020, William “Billy” L. Collins moved on from this life to join his wife of more than 40 years, Kaye “Toni” (Cephus) Collins, his beloved parents William G. Collins and Elizabeth “Tommie” (Hobbs) Collins, his brother Joseph Collins, his brothers-in-law John Freeman, Vincent McFarland and Don Spaulding as well as his grandparents and numerous other loved ones who left this world before him. Billy made his grand entrance as the first son of William and Tommie in April 1943 in Chaplin, Kentucky. His early education was in Bloomfield, but he left home to attend Lincoln institute near Shelbyville where he was a standout athlete in multiple sports. He graduated in 1961.
After high school, Billy left Kentucky to serve his country in the U.S. Air Force for more than 20 years spending time around the globe. Although he was on unaccompanied assignments in Japan during the birth of his first daughter and Thailand during the Vietnam War when his third daughter arrived, Billy made the most of being able to live with his young family at Ft. Meade, Maryland when his second daughter arrived. He would proudly recount how he carried her from the delivery room to the nursery himself because he was unimpressed with the nurse carrying his new baby in one arm like a football and a stack of towels under her other arm.
Billy didn’t take the times when his family were able to be with him for granted and even when doing nothing more than grilling or watching a movie at home, he was happiest with his wife and girls all together. He loved being able to take his family on many trips through the years including amusement park visits where he was a huge rollercoaster fan and the best at making his girls feel safe enough to try anything so long as he was with them. He coached his girls when they became interested in sports and always ensured that wherever the family was sent that his children could attend excellent schools and had whatever they needed including higher education and safe cars. Billy was also the grill master and known for hosting great parties for neighbors and other friends.
He retired from his last assignment with the 552nd AWAC wing at Tinker AFB, Midwest City, Oklahoma. He remained in Midwest City bringing an end to the many moves and family separations that were a regular part of Air Force life. He ensured that his daughters could all set down some roots and graduate from Midwest City High School where he enjoyed supporting the football program for decades and could be regularly found cheering from field level.
Even after his retirement from the Air Force, Billy never let go of his desire to help others, and he was still the person who would make the calls to get a group together to help others in need. He helped a neighbor to finish roofing her house when her do it yourself project became overwhelming in the Oklahoma heat. He put his volunteer firefighting skills to use when another neighbor’s house caught fire and had the flames extinguished by the time the fire department arrived. He discovered that a coworker was living in a dilapidated mobile home and without fanfare he showed up with some likeminded veterans to rebuild the floor and make numerous other repairs to make it a much safer home for a coworker who was single mother with young children who had no one else watching out for them.
Billy was a friend to many through his life including many lifelong friends from Kentucky, from his military service and from his final home in Oklahoma. With his beloved wife, no matter where his family was located Billy worked to make a home that was safe, welcoming and inclusive to all. He welcomed numerous “bonus” children into his heart and home through the years with his warm smile and caring nature. He carried his faith as a lifelong Christian quietly most of the time preferring to be a witness to Christ through his actions while not seeking any personal recognition. However, when challenged he could confound those who sought to mislead by twisting Scripture to their own agenda.
Billy will be missed by his daughters, Peri Collins (fiancé Danny Lucas), Michelle Collins and Linda Collins. He will also be remembered by his siblings, Margaret “Polly” Freeman (John), Eva King (Bobby), Sue Palms (Willie), Doris Spaulding, Mary Saunders (Pete), Frank “Greg” Collins (Millicent) and Connie Wallace (Harold) as well as his sister-in-law Constance “Connie” Lott (George) and host of nieces, nephews and other loved ones.
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