Phyllis Elizabeth Collier

Phyllis Elizabeth (Kraatz) Collier, age 85, died on Monday, May 8, 2017. She was born and raised in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. She moved away as a young adult, but she held a lifelong devotion to the family, friends and memories remaining there. Her beloved husband of 61 years, Bud Collier, predeceased her in September 2016. Bud & Phyllis were active residents of Sun City Texas for the past twenty years where they participated in many community events as well as weekly worship and other activities at Faith Lutheran Church on Williams Drive. As a loyal Navy wife, Phyllis put her teaching career on hold in 1959 to move around the country in support of her husband and their growing family -- which eventually totaled four children. She resumed her teaching career later in life when she joined the Alief, Texas public school system. Phyllis was an avid reader, casual historian and enthusiastic wine critic, and in retirement she had the time to sharpen these skills. She regularly participated in classes sponsored by Senior University Georgetown and never stopped learning and sharing knowledge. She was an educator through and through.

Phyllis is survived by her children and their spouses: Julie and Michael Petru of Manvel, TX, Scott and Chelsea Collier of Austin and Vicki Reed of Austin. Her son, Mark Collier, predeceased her. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Zac, Jessie, Elle, Tyler and Rachel and one great-grandchild, Amri. Plans for a private family service are pending. As Phyllis was deeply involved and connected to her local faith community, a suggestion for a memorial is Lutheran World Relief c/o Faith Lutheran Church, 4010 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX 78628.