Bill was born September 24, 1930, to Wilke and Berta Collins in Houston, TX. He moved to Utah as a child and attended Weber County High School in Ogden until enlisting in the US Navy at the age of 17. He went on to serve his country for twenty years (1947-1967) and the discipline and patriotism he learned in the Navy never left him, as friends and family will all attest.
Bill married the love of his life, Marie Collins, in 1979. They loved to travel together, visiting her hometown of Alexandria, Louisiana often. Bill was passionate about gardening and a master at growing roses. He would brighten his wife’s day, daily, by bringing her fresh-cut roses. In return, she would write him love poems. He was a wonderful husband and a blessed caretaker to his wife in her last years. Although he had no children of his own, he was a loving and caring stepfather to Aline Fagan, Dianne Morris, Jean Bonnette and Christopher Bonnette, and was cherished by his 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Marie Collins; Father, Wilke Collins, Sr.; Mother, Berta Cypert; brother, Arthur R. Collins; and sisters, Mary Lou Park and Jane Leora Walker.
Bill loved classical music and could listen to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass for hours on end. He loved old war movies depicting the time when he grew up and when he served in the Navy. He smiled most when watching these old films!
Bill joined the Knights of Columbus in 1990 and became a 4th Degree Knight in 1992. He went on to lead the Honor Guard as a Color Corps Commander. In 2018, at age 87, he became an Honorary Lifetime Member, bestowed to him by the Knights of Columbus.
Bill was a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in The Woodlands, TX. For many years, Bill’s faith in God and compassion for others led him to share God’s mercy by devoting his time to the Divine Mercy Ministry, praying the Chaplet and taking the Eucharist to the bedside of the sick and dying.
Bill will be endeared forever in the hearts of all who knew him for his devotion to God, to his wife and to his family.
Special appreciation goes out to all his Brothers at the Knights of Columbus, as well as his church-family friends and relatives who sustained Bill’s spirits this last year!
As an expression of sympathy to the family and to honor the Brothers in the Knights of Columbus, memorial contributions may be sent to: Knights of Columbus Council 12327
Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church 7801 Bay Branch Dr. The Woodlands, TX 77382
Visitation will be held at Cashner Funeral Home in Conroe, Texas on Monday, December 10, 2018 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, with rosary at 7:00pm.
Funeral service for Wilke “Bill” W. Collins Jr. will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, in The Woodlands, TX on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 1:00pm with interment following at Garden Park Cemetery in Conroe, Texas.
To leave condolences for the family, please go to cashnerconroe.com
