Bill Collins

Tahlequah, OK- Funeral services for Darwin L. “Bill” Collins will be held on Thursday, August 2nd, 2012 at 10:00 AM at the Cornerstone Fellowship Church of Tahlequah with Pastor Allen Nolan officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 1st, 2012 from noon until 8:00 PM at the Reed-Culver Chapel in Tahlequah, OK. Interment will be held at Tahlequah City Cemetery.

Pallbearers for Bill include Dower Combs, James Jackson, Kevin Jordan, David Hicks, Cale Fine, Marc Collins, Kenneth Thornton, and Ricky Hicks. Honorary pallbearers include Steve Young, Walter Johnson, Loville Bailey, and John Phillips.

Darwin Lawton Collins, or Bill to his many friends and loved ones, was born on April 10th, 1926 in Combs Community, previously known as Ellerville, the son of Francis and Elizabeth (Combs) Collins. At sixteen, Bill answered his countries call and joined the U.S. Navy attaining the rank of Ships Fitter 3rd Class. He served aboard the escort carrier, USS Bismarck. On February 21st, 1945, the ship was off the coast of Iwo Jima when the ship was struck by two Japanese Kamikaze planes, The first plane struck the starboard side crashing through the hanger deck striking the ship’s magazine. The second plane struck the aft elevator shaft exploding on impact. The ship sank with a loss of 318 men. Bill and the other survivors were forced to endure 12 hours in the dark, icy waters before finally being rescued. Bill was awarded the Victory medal, the American Campaign medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal with three stars, and the Philippine Liberation Campaign medal with two stars. Bill was honorably discharged on March 3rd, 1946. Bill returned to Oklahoma and settled in the Tahlequah area. He married and began a 29 year career as the General Sales Manager for Success Motor Company in Tahlequah, selling his favorite cars, Chevrolets. He loved hunting quail and fishing for the catch of the day. He was a loving husband and father to sons Ronnie and Joe. He was a member of Kiwanis, American Legion and Quarterback Club. He married MaeDean Carter on December 20th, 1990 in Tahlequah, OK. They would spend the next 21 years together enjoying their grand and great grandchildren and each others company. Bill loved to spend time with family and friends sharing a laugh or telling stories. He was fun to talk with, and possessed a great sense of humor. A Christian by faith, Bill was a member of Cornerstone Fellowship Church in Tahlequah, OK. The Lord called Bill to his heavenly home on July 30th, 2012 in Tahlequah, OK with his family by his side. Bill was 86 years old. He will be greatly missed for his smile, his wonderful laugh and the love he gave to his family.

Bill is preceded in death by parents, his stepfather, Lester Davis, beloved daughter, Judy Stover in 2007, brothers and sisters, Sonny Dickerson, Lloyd Dickerson, Myrtle Dickerson, Lucy Dickerson, Jewel Wilcox- Adair, and Cleo Hall .

Those left behind to cherish his memory include his wife MaeDean, of the home in Tahlequah.Bill’s children include his sons, Ronnie Collins and wife Beryl of Tahlequah and Joe Collins and wife Michelle of Park Hill. Bill’s stepchildren include Bob Sanders and wife Karen of Park Hill, Karen Boswell and husband Boyd of Tahlequah, Mike Meigs and wife Kimberely of Tahlequah, David Meigs and wife Janell of Tahlequah, Lisa Nolan and husband Pastor Allen Nolan of Tahlequah, and Susan Jordan and husband Kevin of Tahlequah. Bill’s legacy lives on in his twelve grandchildren, Terry Stover and wife Debbie of Broken Arrow, Patti Jackson and husband James of Coweta, Marc Collins and companion Kimberly Fife-Daniels of Claremore, Jamie Jo Ward of Broken Arrow, Elizabeth Collins and fiancé David Pennekamp of Tulsa, Chelsey Collins, Ryleah Collins, Shasta Jordan, Jade Jordan, and Jasmine Jordan all of Tahlequah, Micah Relic and husband Aaron of Tulsa, Macee Nolan of Tahlequah, Heather Meigs of Tahlequah, Misty Holderbee and Billy of Tahlequah, Hunter Overacker and Jonathan Overacker both of Tahlequah, Sarah Gooldy and husband Ray of Broken Arrow, and Todd Sanders of Tulsa, OK, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones.

Those wishing to express their sympathy to Bill’s family are asked to consider the Cornerstone Fellowship Church of Tahlequah, OK.