Collins, William J., Sr.

William James “Bill” Collins, Sr., 96, of Homeville, departed this life Friday, October 13, 2006. Born in Lufkin, TX, July 4, 1910, he was the son of the late Albert B. and Regina Thompson Collins. He was a 1932 graduate of Presbyterian College in South Carolina. A member of the “greatest generation”, Bill was a WWII veteran serving in the U. S. Army with the rank of Major. His awards include the Bronze Star, WWII Victory Medal and he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre avec etoile d argent by the French Government. He was a former member of the Waverly Ruritan Club, a retired Southampton County Farm Bureau agent, and a member of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church where he was a former Superintendent and long time Sunday school teacher. Mr. Collins was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Lowe Briggs Collins. He is survived by his four children, William J. “Bill” Collins, Jr. and wife, Stella of Homeville, Regina C. Felton and husband, Greg of Port Charlotte, FL, George B. Collins and wife, Patty of Homeville, and Donna T. Collins of Santa Fe, NM; eleven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Bill will be remembered for his love of life, golf, bridge, fishing, and his family of whom he was so proud. His remains rest at the Petersburg Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service where a funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 AM Monday, October 16, 2006. Interment will follow at Blandford Cemetery. Friends are always welcomed anytime at the home of George Collins, 13320 Jerusalem Plank Road, Waverly, VA 23890 where the family will receive guests from 6:30 to 8:30 PM Sunday. Memorial contributions may be made to Oak Grove UMC, P. O. Box 12, Waverly, VA 23890. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.