Willis Nelson Collins

Willis "Bill" Nelson Collins
January 17, 1917- May 28, 2012

There was nothing Bill enjoyed more than a road trip. With a tank full of gas and his best girl by his side, he was ready to roll. It might be to the Oregon Coast, the southwest deserts or a cross-country trip to his native New York. The rumble of the open road was always music to his ears.

Bill was born in Palermo, New York to Harlan D and Lillian B Collins on January 17, 1917. He had one sister, Marian, and two brothers, Harlan and Frank. He went to school in Fulton, New York, graduating in 1935. He began a lifelong love affair with the violin at age eleven and played in his high school orchestra as first chair violinist. He continued his violin as a member of the Skagit Valley Symphony.

After high school, Bill worked for Oswego Falls Corporation, while attending Syracuse University night school. In June 1941 he joined the U.S. Army Air Corp at Fort Niagara, NY. He got his first taste of this wide open country when he was transferred to Geiger Field in Spokane, WA to begin work for the Air Corp Weather Service. Subsequent transfers led him to Seattle, where he spent time at Snoqualmie Pass reporting weather conditions, then back to Spokane to establish a weather history for the base. Along the way he met Betty Jean at a USO dance and was married in Colville on July 4, 1943. Another lifelong love affair had begun.

Bill received his orders to the South Pacific Theater in 1943. While in the war he was stationed in New Guinea, the Philippines and Okinawa. He was discharged at Fort Lewis, WA in December 1945. He worked for the US Weather Bureau at Boeing field from 1946 to 1948.

In September of 1948 Bill and Betty Jean began their lives in Mount Vernon when they established Collins Office Supply serving Skagit and Island Counties. Bill's life did not revolve solely around the office supply business. He became rooted in the community and was an unabashed supporter of the beautiful tulip adorned area known as the Skagit Valley. He was a member of Mount Baker Masonic Lodge, Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge, Chamber of Commerce, Merchants Association, Mount Vernon Library Board and Kiwanis International. Bill was especially proud of the work he did helping start the Kiwanis Salmon Barbecue, which supports the Kiwanis playground and ball fields. Also held dear to his heart was his service as a DeMolay father advisor for the youth of Mount Vernon.

Bill's religious home for the last few years was as a member of the First United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon. Previously, he belonged to the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church where he served as a church deacon and sang in the choir for 56 years. Besides playing some golf, Bill supported the UW football team as a season ticket holder for many years and delighted in watching his son perform in the UW Marching Band from 1970-1974.
Sadly, we lost Bill on May 28, 2012. But, on that early Monday morning, in the growing light of dawn, the soft rumble of well- tuned Cadillac could be heard as it headed to the open road and beyond.
Bill was preceded on his journey by his son, Kevin R Collins, parents Harlan and Lillian Collins, his sister Marian, and brothers Frank and Harlan.

He is survived by his wife Betty Jean, daughter-in-law Joan Collins and granddaughters Meredith Anne and Cheryl Elise Collins and several nieces and nephews.

The family invites you to a celebration of Bill's life to be held on Friday, June 8th, at 1:30pm at the First United Methodist Church, Mount Vernon. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bill are suggested for Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon, the Skagit Valley College Foundation Kevin R. Collins scholarship, or the First United Methodist Church Children's Music Fund.