Obituary of Billy Collins

Funeral services for Billy Ray Collins, age 85, of Sulphur Springs will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 19, 2011 at West Oaks Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lee Huff officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, prior to service time. Military honors by the Hopkins County Military Coalition will follow at Richland Cemetery with the family serving as pallbearers. Mr. Collins passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at Matlock Health and Rehab in Arlington, TX. Mr. Collins was born on February 4, 1926 in Dallas, TX, the son of Floyd Charles and Ethel (Wells) Collins. He married Mary Sue Butler on June 11, 1948 in Sulphur Springs. After 62 years she preceded him in death on January 1, 2011. Mr. Collins served in the United States Army during WWII. After his discharge from the service he worked for Braniff Airlines for 26 years as an appearance mechanic. He was a solemn, responsible man of his word. He was a scout master who had integrity, was honest and a devoted family man. He was president of his Sunday school class and song leader at First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs. He reaffirmed his faith through Baptism on July 17, 2011 at Calvary Baptist Church. He is survived by his son, Brian Ray Collins and wife Sandi of Arlington, daughter, Marla Collins-Boyce and husband Kenneth of Arlington, daughter-in-law Georgette Collins of Irving, sisters, Virginia Cobb and husband Al of Frankston, TX, Nancy Mathews of Dallas, grandchildren, Shannon Loburk and husband Nick, Morgan Collins, Mary Elizabeth Brown and Logan Boyce, great-grandchildren, Joshua Loburk and Kyle Loburk and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one son, Charles Dennis Collins, two brothers, Kenneth and Glen Collins. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation @ www.diabetes.org. Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. www.westoaksfuneralhome.com