William Collins Obituary

William Lloyd "Bill" Collins

May 24, 1924 - Feb 14, 2023

New London

William Lloyd "Bill" Collins, 98, of New London, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, at Fisher-Titus Medical Center, Norwalk.

Bill was born May 24, 1924, in Northern Kentucky, the youngest child of the late William Riley and Anna (Mitchell) Collins.

A World War II veteran, Bill proudly served his country in U.S. Army from 1943-1947. He served in Okinawa, Japan and Seoul, Korea during the war. He was a gunner on a half-track and then a Provost Marshal, training soldiers to be Military Police.

While on a short leave from the Army, Bill met a young woman, the instantaneous love of his life, Zinia Hall. Three weeks later, on March 16, 1946, they were married in Pikeville, Kentucky, and shared over 63 wonderful years together before she preceded him in death April 1, 2009.

Bill worked for E. Bigelow Tile Company, New London, until the day it closed. He then worked for Janesville Products, Norwalk, from where he retired. Following retirement, he worked part time for Firelands Electric Cooperative until he almost 86.

A man of devout faith, Bill attended Old Regular Baptist Church and made sure to read his Bible every night.

Outdoors was Bill's favorite place to be. He loved mowing his lawn and tending to his large vegetable garden. He was able to grow a garden every year until he was 92. Bill always helped his neighbors with anything they needed including mowing their lawn and shoveling sidewalks and driveways. He was often found tinkering with projects in the garage or in the house. Bill had a special knack for remembering numbers and dates of events. You could ask him when he bought a certain car or anything else and he was able to give you that answer.

Bill enjoyed watching Kentucky basketball, Major League Baseball, and old westerns. He spent countless hours completing word searches in his recliner. Bill liked going to car shows and took great pride in his 1977 Monte Carlo.

Everyone knew Bill as an extremely hard working, honest man who went about his day with a pleasant smile on his face. He may have not had a lot to say most of the time, but he truly cherished the company of family and friends. Bill loved being around his big family for holidays, celebrations, and family get-togethers that were at his home. He had quite the sweet tooth and loved indulging in desserts at these gatherings. He looked forward to family reunions and trips to Kentucky.

Bill got so close to reaching his goal of making it 100 years, but he is now overjoyed to be reunited with his wife. We were all very blessed to have known such a wonderful man, our dad, our grandpa, our friend.

Left to cherish Bill's memory are three sons, William Collins Jr. of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Yasothon, Thailand, Bob (Jeanene) Collins of Wellington, and Michael (Debbie) Collins of Lexington, Ohio; daughter, Delores (John) Kline of New London; 13 grandchildren, Suriyan (Ana) Collins of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Jamie (Mike) Rich of Wichita Falls, Texas, Amy (Mike) Varnadoe of Benbrook, Texas, Brian (Missy) Collins of Four Oaks, North Carolina, Bobbi Jean (Brian) Forrest of North Augusta, South Carolina, Rachael Kline, of New York, New York, Laura (Jeremy) Howard of New London, Ryan (Angela) Collins of Sunbury, Shannon Collins of Columbus, Erica (Luke) Kiger of Lexington, Brett (Breanna) Collins of Mansfield, Stacey (Harvey) Zook of Mansfield, and Branden (Amber) Collins of Crestline; 22 great-grandchildren with another on the way; three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Garry "Beak" Collins; daughter-in-law, Urai Collins; 10 brothers, John B., Dewey, Irwin, Rousie, Oscar, Andy, Curt, Joey, Edgar "Ted" Collins, and an infant brother; and six sisters, Ida Hamilton, Susie Kimbler, Liz McKinney, Melvinie Collins, Judie Collins, and Margaret Nunemaker.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, and 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at Eastman Funeral Home, 200 W. Main St., New London. Services to honor and celebrate Bill's life will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Ashland County Memorial Park.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.eastmanfuneralhome.com.