William E. Collins, 81

William E. Collins, 81, of West Portsmouth, died Saturday, August 16,
2008, at SOMC Hospice after a brief illness. Bill was born April 24, 1927, in
Portsmouth, a son of the late Ralph J. Collins and Celena T. Goodman
Collins. Bill graduated from Holy Redeemer High School in 1947 after
serving in the US Navy aboard the USS Ira Jeffery in the Pacific during
WWII. He retired from the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant after 36
Years as a maintenance mechanic and foreman. Bill was a member of Our Lady of
Sorrows Catholic Church and was a 19 year volunteer for the New to You
Thrift Store repairing toys for needy children. He was a volunteer fireman
for 51 years for the Washington Township Fire dept, acting as Chief for
several years. He was member of the Ohio Valley Fireman Assoc., and one
of the originator's of the WTFD "Santa Express Christmas float". He also
belonged to the American Legion James Dickey Post 23 and a refrigeration
member of RSES. Surviving are his wife, Patricia Collins, whom he married October 25, 1947, at Holy Redeemer Church in Portsmouth; 8 sons, Jim (Jess) Collins, of Denver, Co; Dr. Don Collins, of Wheelersburg; Tom (Trina) Collins, of Perry GA; Steve (Missy) Collins, of Edgewood, Ky; Dave (Cindy) Collins, of Hoschton, Ga; Kenny (Cindy) Collins, of Wheelersburg; Tim (Mary Beth) Collins, of Greer, SC; Doug (Tracy) Collins, of Wheelersburg; 1 daughter, Barb (Tony) Bazler, of South Shore; brothers in law, Jerry (Tee) Pierron, of Portsmouth; David (Genny) Pierron, of Marion, OH, Gary (Carol) Bussa, of Portsmouth; 23 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was also preceded in death by 1 brother, Robert Collins and 1 sister, Mildred "Midge" Collins Bussa, 1 son, Paul Joseph, and 1 great grandson. Friends may call between the hours of 2-4 PM and 6-9 PM on Tuesday, August 19 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth along with a Wake Service starting at 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 20 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church with Father David Young officiating. Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery with Fireman Graveside rites by Washington Township Volunteer Fire Dept and Military Graveside rites by James Dickey Post 23 American Legion. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Sorrows Church Special Fund for the New to You Store, Washington Township Fire Department Corp., or SOMC Hospice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com