Willard L. “Wild Bill” Collins, Jr. 74, of Somerset, Indiana, died at 4:30 a.m., Sunday, September 8, 2019, at his home. He was born July 2, 1945 in Huntington, Indiana to Willard L. Collins, Sr. and Geneva (Miller) Wire.
Bill married Kay Twigg in Swayzee, Indiana, on November 14, 2003. He retired from Fisher Body in Marion where he had worked in machine repair, and also worked at Wabash Paper Coating 26 years. He was a member of the UAW and Wabash Gun Club. He enjoyed showing his antique car, hunting, fishing, golfing, and was an avid NASCAR fan. He was also a scuba diver.
He is survived by his wife, Kay Twigg-Collins of Somerset, five children, Brenda (Rick) Tyson of Wabash, Indiana, Teresa (Donald) Goodwin of Texas City, Texas, Willard C. “Bill” (Ruth) Collins, III of Peru, Indiana, Nanetta (Tony) Wilson of Gas City, Indiana, Wendell Grissell of Upland, Indiana, and David Grissell of Converse, Indiana; 17 grandchildren, Jana Champagne, Christina Touchstone, Stephanie Haecker, Donald Goodwin, Jr., Rick Tyson, Jr, Andrew Goodwin, Mikel Collins, Bryce Collins, Chase Collins, Lane Collins, Taylor Collins, Abby Touchstone, Shalee Adams, Dillon Grissell, David Grissell, Jr., Travis Wilson, and Tiffany Burdette, and 19 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his step-sister, Judy Bever.
A memorial service will be 4 p.m, Thursday, September 12, 2019 at Wabash Friends Church, 3563 S. State Road 13, Wabash, with David Phillips officiating. Family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m., at the church. Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash, is in charge of arrangements.
Preferred memorial is Parkview Cancer Institute Financial Navigators, 11050 Parkview Circle, Fort Wayne Indiana 46845.
The memorial guest book for Bill may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.