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- ELIZABETHTON — Willard G. "Billy" Collins, 85, of Elizabethton, passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2011, at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center Hospital following an extended illness.
He was the son of the late Maynard and Carmie Collins and was born in Carter County. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Collins.
Mr. Collins was a veteran of WWII, having served in the United States Army. He was a former employee of Bemberg, North American Rayon Corporation and was retired from American Water Heater. He was a member of Hunter First Baptist Church. Mr. Collins enjoyed fishing and hunting and loved baseball.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Jackie Collins and his wife, Tami, Bobby L. Collins and his wife, Connie; two granddaughters, Jacquelyn Collins, Macy Collins; two great-granddaughters, Logan Collins, Katlyn Becht; a great-grandson, Tyler Dugger; five grandsons, Davey Collins, Dustin Collins and his wife, Lindsey, Brandon Collins, Bryant Collins and Bud Hicks; five sisters, Betty Edwards and her husband, Andy, Novella Heaton, Lola Bowers, Burnie Pierce, all of Elizabethton, Myrtle (Tootsie) Gilliam and her husband, Ken, Harriman, TN; three brothers, Arthur Collins, Luther Collins, Bobby D. Collins, all of Elizabethton; a special friend, Loretta Wilson and her children, Lisa Wilson, Tammy Carpenter, Steven Wilson, all of Elizabethton; other special friends, Brittany, Nikki, Arie and Heather. Seven nieces, four nephews, and the mother of his children, Lucille Ownby, Elizabethton, also survive.
The funeral service for Mr. Collins will be conducted on Saturday, June 4, 2011, at 7:00 PM in the Tetrick Funeral Home, Chapel of Peace, Elizabethton, with Rev. Bobby Stout and Dr. William Duncan officiating. Music will be under the direction of the New Liberty Baptist Church Quartet.
The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5:00-7:00 PM Saturday prior to the service and at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Bobby and Connie Collins, 324 Pine Hill Road, at other times.
The graveside service and interment will be conducted on Sunday, June 5, 2011, at 2:00 PM in the Pearl Bowers Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Jackie Collins, Bobby Lynn Collins, Davey Collins, Dustin Collins, Brandon Collins, Bryant Collins, Bud Hicks and Joseph Carpenter. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Hardin, Thurman Caldwell, Doug Tolley, Andy White, Van Fair, Jess Fair, Joe Carpenter and Rick Williams. Military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post #49. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the funeral home at 1:15 PM Sunday to go in procession to the cemetery.
The family would like to express a special thanks to the staff at Hermitage Health Care Center and the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center Hospital for all the love and care shown to Mr. Collins and the family.
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Abt 1926 - 2011 (~ 85 years)
