Kenneth Richard Collier

Ken was born on August 6, 1937, in Temple, Oklahoma to Thomas “Jack” and Opal Collier. He grew up and attended school in Oklahoma until the family moved to Merkel, Texas in the early 1950’s. He graduated from Merkel High School in 1955. He met and married Ann Coppedge on June 6, 1959.

Ken served in the Texas Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, United States Marine Corps and the United States Army. Upon leaving the military, he worked in the oil and gas industry, running his own company, Natural Gas Processing, Ltd., until he retired. He loved to travel and spent extensive time in China with his work. Ann and he loved square dancing and spending time with family and friends.

Ken is survived by three sons, Jacky Collier of Caldwell, Texas, Richard Collier of Kermit, Texas and Timothy Collier and his wife, Lori, of Temple, Texas; his sister, Frances Watts and her husband, Jackie, of Hamby, Texas; his mother-in-law, Annie Coppedge McClure of Temple, Texas; his brother-in-law, Arvin Coppedge and his wife, Merrilyn, of Hemphill, Texas; his eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Ann Coppedge Collier, his father, Thomas “Jack” Collier, his mother, Opal Perry Collier and his father-in-law, William Coppedge.

Graveside services for Mr. Collier will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, October 20, 2014 at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene, Texas with Sessions Hammond and Perry Davidson officiating. A visitation for family and friends will be held prior to the services from 10:00 to 11:30 AM on Monday at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory Street in Abilene, Texas.

Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Temple, Texas is in charge of the local arrangements.