William Joseph Collins

Born on October 1, 1927, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Bill was the youngest of ten children born to Catherine Bernadine Collins (née Reardon) and John Samuel Collins. In the early 1930s, the family moved to Philadelphia, where he spent his formative years cheering on the Phillies and Eagles, eventually graduating from North Catholic High School in 1945.

Shortly after graduation, he proudly served in the United States Army, including service in Austria following World War II. After returning home, he attended LaSalle College, earning his accounting degree in 1951.

On October 18, 1952, he married Marie T. Kelly. Together they built a fabulous life, one centered on faith and family. Raising five children, Bill remained a constant role model to his children throughout his entire life. He endured the heartbreaking loss of his daughter Rosemary in 1992 and later the loss of his beloved wife Marie in 2013 after nearly 61 years of marriage.

Bill spent 29 years serving in the federal government, primarily with the Drug Enforcement Administration. His career took the family on incredible adventures, living overseas and in many different states before settling in Falls Church, Virginia, in 1976. After retiring in 1981, he remained in the Falls Church area and was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church for more than 40 years.

He was fortunate enough to find love again when, at the age of 90, he married Maureen McGilloway; they made their home in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania. Even well into his 90s, he never stopped enjoying life. Together, he and Maureen had the good fortune to travel extensively; driving across Canada and visiting Europe. They had an active social life until the end and they were active members of St. Ignatius Loyola in Orrtanna PA.

For more than 98 years, he lived a remarkable life and had a great many passions. One lifelong passion was with the game of golf. Bill loved spending time on the golf course with his children and particularly enjoyed St. Andrews in Scotland and the many courses he had the opportunity to play in his ancestral homeland, Ireland.

He had no greater passion than the love he had for his family though, and his life was marked by quiet strength, deep affection and tremendous pride for his family. Until the very end, he took great joy in his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and the many relationships he built throughout his long life.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marie Collins, and his daughter, Rosemary Collins. He is survived by his wife, Maureen McGilloway Collins; his children, John James Collins (Kathy), Nancy Collins (Richard), Frances Mary Collins, and William Joseph Collins Jr (Cheri); six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and scores of nieces and nephews.

While losing Bill leaves a void in the lives of those who loved him, all who knew him should feel profoundly blessed to have shared in his remarkable 98 years. His love for his friends and family has shaped generations and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Two Masses of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Bill’s honor.

The first will be held on Thursday, May 28, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation at the Loyola Center beginning at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 1095 Church Road, Orrtanna, PA 17353.

The second will be held on June 9 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., at St. Philip Catholic Church, 7500 St. Phillips Court, Falls Church, VA. 22042.

In honor of Bill’s life, the family asks that in lieu of flowers that memorial donations (in the name of Rosemary Collins) be made to the UCSF Brain Tumor Center to support promising research into astrocytoma and other brain tumors.

Donation Information:

UCSF Brain Tumor Center

400 Parnassus Avenue, 8th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94143-0350

https://giving.ucsf.edu/fund/brain-tumor-center