Walter A. Collins Jr.

Our sweetheart, Walter A. Collins Jr., 83, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003, at Forsyth Medical Center with his family at his side. He was born April 20, 1920, in Winston-Salem to the late Walter A. Collins Sr. and Ada Winters Collins. Mr. Collins graduated from South (James A. Gray) High School in 1937, and married Miss Lois Zimmerman on June 2, 1940. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II from 1944 to 1946 as a gunner aboard the Liberty ships SS Joseph H. Martin, SS Shoemaker and SS Hamul, and was awarded the following medals: Victory, American Campaign, European Theatre, Pacific Theatre, Good Conduct and Expert Rifleman. Walter started a local trucking company in 1948, which later became Collins Trucking Co., from which he retired in 1992. He was an avid fisherman and loved showing his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren how to catch fish in Badin Lake. Walter loved his Lord very much and was baptized on March 28, 1937, at Sprague St. Church of Christ. He joined New Eden Moravian Church on April 14, 1946. He was an active member of the church board and a faithful member of the congregation. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Talmadge Collins and Landrus "Bud" Collins; and two sisters, Mozelle Shore and Juanita Hicks. Surviving are his wife, Lois Collins of the home; two sons, Anthony E. Collins Sr. and wife Nicolynn of Parkersburg, W.Va., and Walter A. Collins III and wife Jeannie of Greensboro; five grandchildren, Anthony E. Collins Jr. and wife Dina of Mocksville, Jon L. Collins and wife Kim of Durham, Walter Carl Collins of Greensboro, Jennifer C. Maton and husband Ben of Westerly, R.I., and James C. Collins of Surfside Beach, S.C.; five loving great-grandchildren; six sisters, Dorothy Wilson and husband Alfred of Cambridge, Md., Marie Templeton and husband Glenn of Winston-Salem, Mickey Minor and husband Bob of Advance, Sandra Pitts and husband Carl of Walnut Cove, Audrey Vestal of Walnut Cove, and Vicki Walker and husband David of Clemmons; and a brother, Ralph Collins and wife Beverly of Winston-Salem. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Immanuel-New Eden Moravian Church, 3680 Old Lexington Road with the Rev. Robert M. Peek Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in the church graveyard. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today, Sept. 12, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. Memorials may be made to Immanuel-New Eden Moravian Church, 3680 Old Lexington Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27107.