Wilson Pancoast Collins

Wilson was preceded in death by his father, Guy Collins, and mother, Hazel Collins Erickson, of Silver Spring, Maryland, and sisters Betty Dove (Vinton) of Rehoboth Beach and Eileen Clark (Tom) of Bethesda.

Beloved and devoted husband of 71 years to Doris Oden; father of Thomas (Carlotta), Jerry (Melinda), Kenneth, and Cynthia Blalock (Tim Kuhn); grandfather of Jerry Collins, Jr., Gina Collins, Jill Collins (David Rodeberg), Holly Collins, Kyle Blalock (Leyna), Jenni Collins Napier (Jim), Katie Collins Day (Nate), Megan Collins, Kevin Collins and Kris Collins; and great grandfather of seven.

Wilson attended Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring, MD. He joined the Air Force and served during the Korean War from 1950-1954. While serving, he trained as an aircraft technician and served overseas at Milden Hall RAF, England, March AFB, Riverside, CA, and Smokey Hill AFB, Salina, KS. After his military service, he worked for Capital Airlines and United Airlines as an airplane mechanic. He then worked as a commercial electrician for over 30 years as a skilled service mechanic all over the Washington area, eventually retiring from the Electrical Union, IBEW Local #26.

His many hobbies included: family camping, boating, water skiing, fishing, motorcycling on trails with his kids and scenic mountain trips on his Honda Goldwing with his wife, Dottie. Wilson was known as a creative inventor ahead of his time; i.e., Velcro tennis shoes and T.V. remote controls suspended from the ceiling.

Buzz will be lovingly remembered by all for his humble, charming demeanor, soft-spoken, witty sense of humor, storytelling, along with sound effects and quips in a language all his own.

A service to celebrate Wilson’s life will be held privately.