July 24, 1929 - Sept. 10, 2012

ELKHART — William “Bill” Collins Jr., 83, of Elkhart and Lake Placid, Fla., died Monday afternoon, Sept. 10, 2012, at Wesleyan Healthcare, Marion.

He was born July 24, 1929, in Elkhart to William H. and Nancy E. (Hamilton) Collins.

He married Zola F. Roach of Plymouth in 1966. She died in 2001.

He was a 1948 graduate of Concord High School. He worked for Yellow Creek Meat Packaging before owning Bill Collins Meats.

He was a lifetime member of the Moose and Elk lodges as well as a devoted member of Dunlap United Methodist Church and Community Church of God in Florida.

In his free time Bill loved to golf, bowl, work in the yard and was a diehard Cubbies fan.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Linda (David) Miller of Goshen; a son, Steve Collins of Arlington, Va; a stepdaughter, Karen (Jerry) Bottorff of Fernandina Beach, Fla; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and beloved companion, Margueritte “Maggie” Titus of Marion and Lake Placid.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; wife, sister Eloise W. Gerlach; and half sister Florence VanderMass.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, and one hour prior to the 9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, funeral at Yoder Culp Funeral Home. Pastor Joe Smith of Dunlap United Methodist Church will officiate.

Burial will follow in Olive East Cemetery, Elkhart.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society or New Hope Hospice, 1385 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion IN 46952.

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