William "Bill" Collins

Benjamin Funeral Service - Nowata, Oklahoma -----------918-273-2700

William “Bill” Lee Collins, 76, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2020 at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Bill was born December 13, 1943 in Avant , OK, to  Bill and Lucy (Gill) Collins. He started his education at Diamond Point School and then transferred to Nowata High School up until the eighth grade, before joining the U.S.  Army to serve his country. After being discharged from the military, he then moved to Delaware, Oklahoma and started working on the farm. Bill married the love of his life Denel Gronquist on Jan 31, 2012 in Miami, Oklahoma. They enjoyed each moment they spent together and loved giving each other a hard time. He has been battling cancer for a little over fourteen years. Bill was tougher than boot leather and nothing could keep him down. He was very outspoken man and wasn’t afraid to tell you how it is rather, you wanted to hear it or not. He really was fond of John Deere tractors, especially when they were running. Bill was a man of many talents and wasn’t afraid to work whether it was, building fence, mowing the yard, working the livestock or just lending a helping hand. In his spare time, he enjoys watching westerns, playing solitaire for countless hours, keeping up the with the chores or just sitting on the porch enjoying the outdoors. In the wintertime everyone knew the first dust of snow that fell, Bill was out in his John Deere tractor removing it. Family and friends were a high priority and he loved spending time with them and spoiling the grand kids. He held a special place in his heart for each and every family member and friends. His personality and spirit were always one of a fighter or lover depending on the circumstances, but he will never be forgotten. Bill always had a great sense of humor and a smile on his face. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Bill received the Army Commendation Medal near Tuy Hoa, Vietnam. He earned the award for heroism in action while engaged in military operation against a hostile force in Vietnam.

He is preceded in death by his parents to Bill and Lucy Collins, two siblings: Gloria Johnson, Joyce Faulkner and a granddaughter Isabella West.

He is survived by his wife Denel Collins; eight children: Billy Collins of Independence, KS , Tracy Collins of Independence, KS, Teddy Collins of Catoosa, OK, Logan Collins of Delaware, OK, Allan West of Bartlesville, OK, LaDonna Tucker of Bartlesville, OK, four sibling: Homer Collins of Dewey, OK, Mike Collins of Nowata, OK, Everett Collins of Nowata, Oklahoma, Thelma Carr of Bartlesville, OK, ten grandchildren: Dustin Collins, Heath Collins, Cory Collins, Dustin Wooten , Mark Tate, Joseph Allen, Allie West, Jaxon West, Michelle Collins, his dog “shit head Collins,” (AKA, “poop head” grandkids had to call him that because they wasn’t allowed to say shit) and many other relatives and a host of friends.