SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 487


In Memory

of

William Coldwell Collins


	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens 
of El Paso in mourning the loss of William Coldwell Collins, who 
died March 19, 2003, at the age of 81; and

	WHEREAS, He was born in El Paso on June 19, 1921, to 
William R. and Julia Coldwell Collins; he attended Crockett and 
Austin high schools and earned a bachelor's degree in economics 
and business in 1942 from The University of Texas at El Paso, then 
known as Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy; and

	WHEREAS, Mr. Collins volunteered for duty during World War 
II, and he served with the United States Army Air Corps in Africa, 
Italy, and the Middle East and rose to the rank of captain; he 
married Marian Bainbridge during the war, and the couple had three 
daughters; Marian preceded him in death, and he subsequently 
married Betty Wing; and

	WHEREAS, After his military service, Mr. Collins earned his 
law degree at The University of Texas School of Law; he returned 
to El Paso to practice law, first as assistant county attorney and 
then in private practice and as a partner in the firm of Collins, 
Langford and Pine; active in professional organizations, he was a 
director and president of the El Paso Bar Association, a director 
of the State Bar of Texas in Austin, and chairman and a director of 
the State Bar Insurance Trust in Austin; and

	WHEREAS, A well-known civic leader, Mr. Collins was chairman
and a director of the El Paso division of the American Red Cross, 
president of the Del Norte Club, a member and a director of the 
El Paso Junior Chamber of Commerce, a director of Casitas Coronado 
Community Services, a director and a member of the El Paso Country 
Club, and a director and a longtime member of the El Paso Historical
Society; and

	WHEREAS, Mr. Collins was a devout Christian and a lifetime 
member of the Episcopal Church; he was a longtime parishioner at 
Saint Clement's Church and subsequently at Saint Francis on the 
Hill Church in El Paso; he was also a railroad enthusiast, an 
active philatelist, and a golfer; and

	WHEREAS, A man of integrity, strength, and generosity, 
Mr. Collins gave unselfishly of his time to others, and his 
wisdom, warmth, and valued counsel will not be forgotten by 
those who knew him; and

	WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, 
and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by 
his family and many friends; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
78th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the 
bereaved family of William Coldwell Collins:  his wife, 
Betty Wing Collins; his three daughters, Nancy Heinemeier, 
Cynthia Collins, and Maridell Monheimer; his five grandchildren; 
and his one great-grandson; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared 
for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the 
Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it 
do so in memory of William Coldwell Collins.
                                                                       Shapleigh




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on April 1, 2003, by a 
rising vote.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate