Joe Collier's Obituary
Services for Joe Collier will be held at 4 pm on Friday, December 11 in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. Richard Emmerson and David Farmer will officiate. Joe passed away Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at a local hospital.
He was born July 16, 1936 at home in Van Zandt County, TX, the son of W.R. (“Dub”) Collier and Eugenia Huff Collier. When Joe was 13 his father died in an industrial accident leaving him to take responsibility for his mother and his younger brother, William M. (“Buzz”) Collier. In 1954, graduated from Mineola High School. He earned his BS in Chemistry as well as his Master Degrees in Math and Chemistry, from the University of Texas at Austin. He joined Texas Eastman in 1961 and worked there for 33 years; then was employed at Huntsman Oil for 6 years.
Joe lived an outdoor life, enjoying hunting and camping with friends. He was a member of the Longview Running Club and the Longview Bicycle Club. He was a member of the American Chemical Society and served three years as a Vice President. He was a charter member of the Gregg County Sheriff’s Reserve and served as a volunteer officer for 43 years, including 2007 when he was Reserve Deputy of the year. He was an active member of Woodland Christian Church for 40 years, serving twice as Chairman of the Board and three times as Chairman of the Elders. He later joined First Christian Church where he was a member until his death. Socially he enjoyed Tuesday Eastman Retirees Breakfast Club, Friday breakfast with special friends, and Wednesday and Friday Evenings at the Pig Trail Inn.
He is survived by Betty Lyn Collier, his wife of 58 years; son and daughter-in-law, Ken and Sandy Collier of Nacogdoches; sister-in-law, Barbara Collier of Grand Saline; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Cathy Bruner of Fort Collins, Colorado; nieces and husbands, Phyllis and Howard Lisby of Fort Worth and Jennifer and Phil Maynard of Fayetteville, Arkansas; nephews, Steve Bruner of US Army currently stationed in Norway, Jason Theilengerdes and George Ward of Austin; one granddaughter, Nicole Elizabeth Collier of Sherman and god daughter and husband, Robin Lynn and Scott Glascow.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, William (“Buzz”) Collier and nephew, Ross Collier.
There will be no formal visitation hours at the funeral home for Mr. Collier.
In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to First Christian Church of Longview, Gregg County Sheriff’s Reserve, or the Salvation Army.
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