Clarence William “Bill” Collins, 83, of Cleveland, N.C., passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House in Mooresville, N.C.
Bill was born on August 18, 1941, in Waynesville, N.C., to the late Bunyan Clarence Collins and Dorothy May Dailey. He graduated from Waynesville High School and attended Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C. He and his first wife, Linda Melton, moved to Chicago, Ill., where he served in the U.S. Army at a Nuclear NIKE Site. During this time, Bill played semi-pro football for the Elmhurst Travelers, the feeder team for the Chicago Bears. In 1966, he, his wife, and two daughters moved to Charlotte, N.C., where he was employed by Celanese. In 1969, they moved to Fort Mill, S.C. Bill, along with other residents of his neighborhood, established the Flint Hill Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as its first fire chief. As a youth, Bill rose to the highest rank in scouting to that of Eagle Scout. He used his scouting skills to serve as Scout Master of a troop in Fort Mill. Bill was a member of Catawba Masonic Lodge #56 AM & FM.
In 1999, Bill married his second wife, Elizabeth Yarborough, and they lived in China Grove, N.C. They later moved to Cleveland, N.C. After retiring from Celanese, he enjoyed coaching in the YFL Football League, raising exotic birds in his back yard aviary, and spending time with his family.
Bill is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Yarborough Collins; daughters, Linda Wood, her husband Thomas, and Lisa Ann Collins; stepdaughters, Stacy Hatoway, Leslie Smith and her husband Steve; grandchildren, Ashley Wood Edwards, her husband Andrew, Christopher Thomas Wood, Reagan McCubbins, Nicholas Smith, Blake McCubbins, Justin Smith, wife Sydnee, and Paul Smith; great grandchildren, Ethan Edwards, Cooper Wood, Ally Downs, Azelea Smith, Marlie Smith, and Saylor Smith.
A Celebration gathering will be held on Monday, September 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family requests potted plants or donate to S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House, Mooresville, N.C.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, serves the Collins family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.