Willis Joseph Collins Sr was born March 22, 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas to Earnest and Mary Collins. He is a graduate of Lincoln High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Lamar University. He was married to Lillie Ruth Harrison for fifty-one years before her death in 2018. They were blessed with sons Chunky (Willis Jr.) and Jarrod. The family moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1972 after he received a job as an education technology consultant with Encyclopedia Britannica. He remained in the educational technology field for 20 years before returning to teaching in 1993. He retired from Fulton County Schools in 2003.
In 1975, the family moved to East Point. He served as PTA President of Mount Olive Elementary School (now Dr. Asa G. Hilliard Elementary) and Athletic Booster Club President at Woodland High School.
A devout catholic, Mr. Collins assumed many roles at St. John’s Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Peter Claver serving as Deputy Grand Knight of Council 340 and was Immediate Past Treasurer at the time of his passing. He also taught Sunday school.
An active member of the AARP East Point chapter 5238, he served as Vice-President, President and Director of the Board. He also worked with the AARP Caregiving Program, voter Registration and volunteered for AARP at the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary National Convention. In 2019, he received the distinguished Pauline Staten-Cheese Leadership Award which is voted on by the membership for exemplary service to the East Point Chapter.
He leaves behind his sons and daughter in-laws Dr. Willis and Jaca Collins and Jarrod and Juana Collins, his sister Earnestine Collins, grandchildren Jordan, Aaron, Jules, Ian and Jaxon and a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Ronald Collins.
Visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 19, 2021 at Gabriel Funeral Home Chapel – 3800 Memorial Blvd, Port Arthur, TX. Graveside Service will follow at 11 a.m. in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
In 1975, the family moved to East Point. He served as PTA President of Mount Olive Elementary School (now Dr. Asa G. Hilliard Elementary) and Athletic Booster Club President at Woodland High School.
A devout catholic, Mr. Collins assumed many roles at St. John’s Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Peter Claver serving as Deputy Grand Knight of Council 340 and was Immediate Past Treasurer at the time of his passing. He also taught Sunday school.
An active member of the AARP East Point chapter 5238, he served as Vice-President, President and Director of the Board. He also worked with the AARP Caregiving Program, voter Registration and volunteered for AARP at the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary National Convention. In 2019, he received the distinguished Pauline Staten-Cheese Leadership Award which is voted on by the membership for exemplary service to the East Point Chapter.
He leaves behind his sons and daughter in-laws Dr. Willis and Jaca Collins and Jarrod and Juana Collins, his sister Earnestine Collins, grandchildren Jordan, Aaron, Jules, Ian and Jaxon and a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Ronald Collins.
Visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 19, 2021 at Gabriel Funeral Home Chapel – 3800 Memorial Blvd, Port Arthur, TX. Graveside Service will follow at 11 a.m. in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Willis Joseph Collins Sr was born March 22, 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas to Earnest and Mary Collins. He is a graduate of Lincoln High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Lamar University. He was married to Lillie Ruth Harrison for fifty-one years before her death in 2018. They were blessed with sons Chunky (Willis Jr.) and Jarrod. The family moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1972 after he received a job as an education technology consultant with Encyclopedia Britannica. He remained in the educational technology field for 20 years before returning to teaching in 1993. He retired from Fulton County Schools in 2003.
In 1975, the family moved to East Point. He served as PTA President of Mount Olive Elementary School (now Dr. Asa G. Hilliard Elementary) and Athletic Booster Club President at Woodland High School.
A devout catholic, Mr. Collins assumed many roles at St. John’s Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Peter Claver serving as Deputy Grand Knight of Council 340 and was Immediate Past Treasurer at the time of his passing. He also taught Sunday school.
An active member of the AARP East Point chapter 5238, he served as Vice-President, President and Director of the Board. He also worked with the AARP Caregiving Program, voter Registration and volunteered for AARP at the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary National Convention. In 2019, he received the distinguished Pauline Staten-Cheese Leadership Award which is voted on by the membership for exemplary service to the East Point Chapter.
He leaves behind his sons and daughter in-laws Dr. Willis and Jaca Collins and Jarrod and Juana Collins, his sister Earnestine Collins, grandchildren Jordan, Aaron, Jules, Ian and Jaxon and a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Ronald Collins.
Visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 19, 2021 at Gabriel Funeral Home Chapel – 3800 Memorial Blvd, Port Arthur, TX. Graveside Service will follow at 11 a.m. in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
In 1975, the family moved to East Point. He served as PTA President of Mount Olive Elementary School (now Dr. Asa G. Hilliard Elementary) and Athletic Booster Club President at Woodland High School.
A devout catholic, Mr. Collins assumed many roles at St. John’s Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Peter Claver serving as Deputy Grand Knight of Council 340 and was Immediate Past Treasurer at the time of his passing. He also taught Sunday school.
An active member of the AARP East Point chapter 5238, he served as Vice-President, President and Director of the Board. He also worked with the AARP Caregiving Program, voter Registration and volunteered for AARP at the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary National Convention. In 2019, he received the distinguished Pauline Staten-Cheese Leadership Award which is voted on by the membership for exemplary service to the East Point Chapter.
He leaves behind his sons and daughter in-laws Dr. Willis and Jaca Collins and Jarrod and Juana Collins, his sister Earnestine Collins, grandchildren Jordan, Aaron, Jules, Ian and Jaxon and a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Ronald Collins.
Visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 19, 2021 at Gabriel Funeral Home Chapel – 3800 Memorial Blvd, Port Arthur, TX. Graveside Service will follow at 11 a.m. in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
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