Obituary: The Rev. William Collins.

The Rev. A.D. William Collins, 79 of Ludington, known as “Rev. Bill” by his friends, passed away from this life on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at his winter residence in Ocala, Florida.    He is survived by his wife of 59 years Donna Lee, children David (Debby) Collins, Karen (Paul) Bonnette, Richard (Karla) Collins, Anne (Greg) Winiarski, 13 grandchildren and two older brothers, Norman Collins of Warner-Robbins, Georgia, Gordon Collins of Oceanside, California and brother-in-law Charles Kimberly of Howell.  His Parents, JW and Astrid Collins and sister Frieda (Collins) Turner preceded him in death.

Bill was born on December 22, 1935 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and moved to Brighton, Michigan at the age of 10.  He became a US citizen after serving in the U.S. Army as a mechanic. Bill was ordained as a minister after graduation from Garrett Theological Seminary and served as pastor at churches in Herbst, Peru, and Muncie, Indiana before moving to Ludington.  In Ludington, Rev. Bill served as pastor of the Community Church from 1971 until his retirement in 1998.  After his retirement from Community Church, Bill served as chaplain of Epworth Heights until his passing.

In addition to serving as pastor, chaplain, husband, father, grandfather and friend, Bill was active in the communities where he and Donna Lee resided.  He was a member of the Ludington Optimist Club, West Michigan Antique Car Club, West Michigan Ministerial Association, and Midwest Club, served on the Salvation Army board, Ludington Library board and Presbytery of Lake Michigan, taught Bible class in Ocala, Fla. and still managed to walk four miles every day.

Rev. Collins dedicated his life to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as a child and was blessed to be able to share Christ’s message of Redemption and Love in his daily life through his thoughts, actions and words.

A Celebration of Christian life will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, at the Community Church in Ludington.  Friends may meet with his family for a time of visitation on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville, and on Thursday morning from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church.  Those who wish to make contributions in Rev. Bill’s memory are asked to consider Community Church in Ludington.  Please visit Rev. Bill’s personal memory page at www.wymanfuneralservice.com to leave a tribute of Rev. Bill for his family, or to light a candle in his memory.