Willie O. CollinsBellefontaine, Ohio

Willie O. Collins, 81, of Bellefontaine, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Mary Rutan Hospital. He was born in West Hamlin, West Virginia on August 9, 1942, to the late Willie Mason and Gladys (Chafins) Collins. He is also preceded in death by his children: Vicki Lease, Debbi Reed, Richard Nutter, and Jerry Collins; grandchildren: Jarod George and Todd Mouser; great-grandchild, Chase Nelson;10 siblings; son-in-law, Allen Lease; daughter-in-law: Sue Collins; and brothers-in-law: Butter Napper, Leroy Welsh, and Bob Welsh.

On November 18, 1968, he married the former Carolyn Welsh-Nutter and she survives in Bellefontaine.

He is also survived by his children: Dena (Ray) Collins George, Melissa Miller, William “Willie” Collins and Charles “Chuck” Collins; grandchildren: Persie (Kenny) Nelson, Brandy (Shawn) Herzog, Tarina (Adam) Mouser, Carri (Matt) Brunswick, Jerrie Baum, Colin (Miranda) Rockhold, Lauren (Kaine) Ransome, Spencer (Nikki) George, Michael Collins, Willie (Lydia) Collins, Sasha Collins, Tina Collins, Samantha Collins, Carri Lou, Amanda, and Cindy; 37 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren; his sister, Birdie (Craig) Simpson; daughter-in-law, Angel Collins; sister-in-law, Bonnie Napper; aunts: Arbutus Bryant and Mildred Adkins; brother-in-law, Denzil (Barbara) Welsh; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Willie could have been described as a stubborn or ornery man, but he was one of the most hard-working men you could meet, never missing a day off work and always being there to provide for his family. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose in Kenton and enjoyed traveling and collecting belt buckles and pocketknives. His greatest joy in life came from spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Pastor Terry Robinson will officiate a funeral service at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main Street, Bellefontaine. Visitation will be three hours prior from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be on Friday, November 17, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. at Well’s Cemetery, Meigs County, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, or to the American Cancer Society, 5555 Frantz Road, Dublin, Ohio 43017.

EICHHOLTZ DARING & SANFORD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER, BELLEFONTAINE is honored to serve the Collins family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.