Tommy Collins

1943 - 2018

Mr. William Thomas "Tommy" Collins, 74, died Thursday, June 28, 2018, at his residence after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Tommy was born December 5, 1943 in the Pontocola Community where he grew up, to Veron and Juanita McCauley Collins. He was a 1962 graduate of Shannon High School where he played football under legendary Coach Bodine Bourland. He continued his studies at Itawamba Community College, which he referred to as "Wampus Tech.". He worked all his adult life as a computer programmer, employed by Futorian/Stratford Furniture Manufacturing for 45 years.

Tommy married Carolyn Cawthon on May 17, 1977 in Lee County, MS. He loved rabbit and deer hunting in the winter but when the weather warmed up, it was all about riding the Harley and planning his trips well in advance. He and Carolyn enjoyed making Harley trips all over the United States. Their trips included making stops in as many different states as possible, including Maine and the Grand Canyon. Family and friends were usually in tow. They also made many Jeep trips- the best of which was from Pontocola to Alaska.

Just before being diagnosed with cancer, Tommy and David Morris of New Albany made a month long trip on Harleys to California, Oregon and Washington traveling along the Pacific Coast Highway which was a definite check on Tommy's Bucket List. Tommy loved life, his family, his friends and will be sorely missed.

A celebration of life service will be at 10:30 AM, Monday, July 2, 2018 in the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Bro. John Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Pontotoc, MS. Visitation will be Sunday from 5 PM - 8 PM and Monday from 9 AM - service time.

Survivors include Carolyn Collins, his beloved wife of 41 years; 3 sons, William Thomas "Bill" Collins, Jr. (Myra) of Pontotoc, Stacy Collins (Vicki) of Brewer, and Mark Frazier of New Albany; 2 brothers, John and Gary Collins (Angie) of Pontocola; 4 grandchildren, Kayla Collins Briscoe (Hogan) of Kosciusko, Kari Collins Gentry (Austin) of Pontotoc, Emma Collins (Blake) of Saltillo, and William Riley Collins; 1 great granddaughter, Miller Kate Briscoe. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters-in-law, Betty Collins and Sandra Smith; and father-in-law, Jim Cawthon; and brother-in-law, Larry Cawthon.

Pallbearers will be Will Collins, Blake Fowler, Austin Gentry, Hogan Briscoe, Shannon Smith, Casey Smith, Brandon Ethridge, Wesley Ethridge, Joey McFarling and Mace Ethridge and Justin Sullivan. Honorary pallbearers will be his Harley Riding buddies and his beloved neighbors and friends. And special friend James V. "Buddy" Harris.

Condolences to the family may be e-mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net. The service may be viewed via livestreaming at hollandfuneraldirectors.com.