Coby, I did not know your Dad had passed away, am so sorry! Janeil

I worked with Bill at the state for Risk Management.  He always had a great smile and a joke to tell you.  He was a sharp gentleman and I will miss him  He loved his Ruth and his daughters.  Barbara Fried Gibbons

I just received a message my dear friend has passed. I had the pleasure of working with him at Risk Management. His sense of humor made working a little more fun. I always called him around his birthday but missed calling him this past fall due to a surgery. The world has lost one of the most kindest men I have ever known.

May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.

God bless this hero, may he rest in peace.

My name is Hal Leopard. My wife and I live in SW Florida. I have a short story about Bill that I would like to share. It a story of a mans character and love of Country.

In 2005 I started writing about my dads war years. I  placed a brief note in the 45th Infantry newsletter with my fathers name, to see if anyone recognized it? Then it happened Bill Collins called me.

Bill and I met and during the course of our week together sipping Pauls Valley wine, I recorded almost 7 hours of conversations. Bubba, Bills dog even quite barking at me after the 3rd visit. Bill always liked telling the story of his driving his commanding General between Ft. Sill and Oklahoma City. Bills driving was bad, and made the General so nervous, he had to get rid of him, some how? The general could not shoot him. He could not demote him, so he promoted him to 1st Sergeant instead, and assigned him elsewhere. We both had a good laugh over that story.

Bill was my fathers commanding officer and also his communications chief. Dad  received his training at Ft. Sill and Camp Barkeley under Bill. They both boarded the same ship to Sicily and on to the Italian campaign where Bill was wounded in Venafro, and left the Fighting 45th. He laughingly offered to show me the wounds as proof, but that never took place.

I visited with Bill again in 2006, this time with the scrapbook, and finished my book about my fathers war years in 2007. Without Bill, the book would never have become a reality! Bills guidance and flavor for the period made my book a story, and not just a travel log. 

Let me give you an example in Bills own words: At that time, there wasnt 1 outa 100 guys that werent in uniform for service to our country. You could not walk down the streets of Oklahoma City, without seeing another guy in uniform. Thats just the way it was, we were all involved. It was just expected. During my National Guard enlistment, I worked at Western Union. I had lied about my age to get into the army. When the attack on Pearl Harbor took place, I was laying in my bunk. I just got up, got dressed, and left to serve my country. Hell, the farthest I had ever been away from home was Wynnewood, some 60 miles away. For me, it was an adventure. I owe the Army an awful lot, it trained me, and provided me direction for the rest of my life. My wife Ruth died in 1993, leaving a huge hole in my world, but my Army discipline got me thru it. I try to remember the good stuff about the war, but also knew our shells were killing Krauts, and sometimes our own guys by mistake. It was hard, and we fought to get it over and go home. That was war! 

If my Country called me up again, Id go immediately! They of course would have to send Bubba and my medications along as well.We both chuckled out loud.



In 2007, copies of One Mans Call To Duty went out my 2 sisters, my mother, and her 8 grandchildren. 

Without Bill as my guide, generations of current and future Leopards, would have never known of their families contribution to that war effort. Whether they reference it in high school, or college papers they write, lectures about the war they attend, or simply watch a movie about the period, the dont have to wonder if one of their relatives long ago was involved.  Bill helped me with the logistics of  the war, but most importantly, the feel of that period. 

Bill and I met yearly when we visited mother, and would chat on the phone 4,5 times a year in between. I spoke to him just a couple of days prior to his passing, and with his death, I lost a friend. My trips to Oklahoma City will never be the same, not to mention the loss of the home made beans and corn bread he served us for dinner during one visit.

Bill was my supervisor many years ago at an insurance company in Oklahoma City.  I remember him for his great sense of humor and his kindness to all of us who worked for him.  He was a true gentleman.

Bill was truly a blessing! I work at one of his Doctor's offices he was always friendly and we all considered him our favorite patient. He was kind funny and will truly be missed. Denise Reed

I enjoyed being Bill's personal assistant for the past few weeks so much.  I'll really miss him.  His food was his passion and I loved cooking for him.  Thanks for being so kind and thoughtful to me always.  God speed.

OBITUARIO

Bill M. Collins

18 noviembre, 1922 – 23 marzo, 2012

Bill Merritt Funeral Service

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