Sam Collis

Sam E. Collis 1919 - 2011 Sam Collis, age 91, of Riggins, ID, ended his earthly journey on April 20, 2011 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, ID due to complications following surgery. Sam was born to Jack (William John) and Mabel Collis on September 25, 1919 in the high altitude farm community of Corral, ID. He grew up living the life of a depression-era farm boy with little in the way of luxury but lots of adult responsibilities and opportunities for hunting, fishing and exploration. He attended two different small, one room elementary schools and with his ability and teacher attention, completed eight grades in six years. He finished Camas County High School in 1936; then went two years each to Gooding College and Whitman College, in Walla Walla, WA graduating in 1940 at age 20 with a degree in chemistry. Over the next 16 years, he worked for Civil Service in various materials testing jobs, taking time out for two, two-year stints in the military during WW-II and Korea. He joined Boeing Airplane Co in 1956 where he was involved in several big-name space and military projects, including Bomarc and Apollo. During his years with Civil Service, and at Boeing, Sam became a recognized expert in aircraft paints and preservatives and published several scientific papers dealing with the subject. He also was a sanitation engineer; though not dealing with stopped up plumbing, but detecting and avoiding micron-sized debris in rocket fuel tanks. Since retiring in 1982, Sam has concentrated on gardening and high stakes ($0.50 or $1.00) contract bridge. He also, for a time, tried his hand at making award winning sparkling wines. He was preceded in death by his parents Mabel and Jack Collis and two older sisters, Margaret Hawkins and Isabel Ruggles. Sam's survivors include three children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as follows: daughter, Carol Williamson of Naples, FL and her sons and their families: Gregg Wilson and Kendal Wilson; son, Paul Collis of Hollywood, MD and his sons and their families: Daniel Collis and Bryon Collis and son, Charles Collis of Phoenix, AZ. He also is survived by an adopted daughter Chloe (Collis) Freeland of Oceanside, CA and a younger brother and his wife, Jim and Virginia Collis of Brookings, OR. For the past twenty years Sam has been richly blessed by the companionship and support of his late-in-life partner Eleanor Papineau and her children who include Clara Primmer of Rathdrum, ID; Carol Herndon of Portland, OR; JoAnn Remacle of Riggins, ID; and Ron Waters of Spokane, WA. We all know there's a time to start our lives and a time when it will end. We count as very lucky those people who are able to remain self sufficient, live independently and free of pain. Sam Collis was fortunate to be in control of almost every moment of his life. While we grieve at his passing, let us also rejoice for a productive life, well lived. God Bless and Bon Voyage. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Sam's name to the American Legion, PO Box 65, Riggins, ID 83549 or the charity of your choice would be appreciated. Services will be held at a later date. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.AccentFuneral.com. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian.