William Bernard "Bill" Collins Jr's Obituary
William Bernard “Bill” Collins Jr., 93, of Gilmer, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2025, in Longview, Texas. Born on May 19, 1932, in Branchville, Maryland, Bill was the son of William Bernard Collins Sr. and Louise Pearl MacGregor Collins.
Bill lived in Maryland and Tennessee before moving to Texas in his teen years. He attended Galena Park High School in Galena Park, where he played football and baseball. In August 1950, he enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly serving his country during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in June 1954.
On November 12, 1954, Bill married the love of his life, Lena Mae Mayo, in Houston, Texas. The couple shared a remarkable 70 years together, raising two children—Debra Lynn Collins Staggs and the late Terry Wayne Collins—and building a life filled with family, service, and adventure.
Bill worked as a mechanical maintenance technician at Crown, Cork and Seal in Houston before transferring to Longview and moving to Gilmer, where they enjoyed country life on several acres, raising farm animals and tending to a large garden.
Dedicated to community service, Bill was a longtime member of Lions Clubs International, with most of his service in the White Oak Lions Club. He held numerous leadership roles at both the local and district levels, earning the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellow award—the highest honor for Lions Club members. He was also an avid collector in the Lions International Trading Pin Club, accumulating an extensive pin collection. Bill served several years on the board of the Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville and was a proud member of Bethesda Lodge #142 A.F. & A.M. in Gilmer, where he held multiple offices and played Santa a few times at the lodge’s family Christmas parties.
After retiring, Bill and Lena traveled the country in their RV, working at several National Parks, including Denali, Yellowstone, Mesa Verde, and Shenandoah to name a few. When back at home, Monday nights were reserved for dinner with former co-workers and their wives.
Bill was passionate about genealogy, long before online databases made it easy. He often traveled across state lines to research records in county courthouses, determined to preserve his family’s history. Annual family reunions were a cherished tradition he made sure was planned each year. Bill also happily collected programs from the many church and school events his granddaughters were participating in, having them sign them. More recently he began the same tradition with his great-grandchildren. Each signed program was carefully placed in a folder with the child’s name along with any letters, cards and colored drawings they had given him. These treasured keepsakes were recently given to the children.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife Lena; daughter Debra and son-in-law Larry Staggs; granddaughters Stephanie Baskin and husband Buck, and Danielle Watson and husband Stephen; and seven great-grandchildren—Hallie Watson, James Baskin, Niki Baskin, Harper Watson, Selah Baskin, Elijah Baskin, and Hope Watson. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son Terry, his parents, and his siblings Robert Collins, Nathaniel “Skippy” Collins, Norma Quin and Glen Collins.
Bill will be remembered for his dedication to family, service, and his love of adventure.
A graveside service will be held at Rosewood Park, 1884 Farm to Market Rd 1844, Longview, TX 75605, on Saturday, August 16 at 2:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m., under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview, TX. Pastor Stephen Watson will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to causes close to Bill’s heart: Texas Lions Camp, 4100 San Antonio Hwy, Kerrville, TX 78028.
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