SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 66
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  William Collins Jr.
 
         WHEREAS, Family and friends will long cherish their
  memories of William Bernard Collins Jr. of Gilmer, who passed
  away on August 7, 2025, at the age of 93; and
 
         WHEREAS, The son of William Bernard Collins Sr. and Louise
  Pearl MacGregor Collins, Bill Collins was born in Branchville,
  Maryland, on May 19, 1932, and he grew up with the companionship
  of four siblings, Robert, Nathaniel, Norma, and Glen; after
  moving with his family to Texas when he was a teenager, he
  attended Galena Park High School, where he played football and
  baseball; in 1950, he enlisted in the United States Navy and
  served his country during the Korean War; and
 
         WHEREAS, Mr. Collins subsequently embarked on a career as
  a mechanical maintenance technician at Crown Cork & Seal Company
  in Houston; he later transferred to Longview and settled in the
  rural area of Gilmer, where he took pleasure in raising farm
  animals and gardening; active in his community, he was a longtime
  member of Lions Clubs International; he held many leadership
  roles at the local and district levels of the organization, and
  he received the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship; he also
  served on the board of the Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville for
  several years, and he was a member of Bethesda Lodge No. 142 in
  Gilmer; and
 
         WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Collins benefited from
  the love and support of his wife, the former Lena Mae Mayo, with
  whom he shared a rewarding marriage that spanned seven decades;
  together, the couple raised two children, Debra and Terry, who
  preceded his father in death, and with the passage of time, they
  welcomed two grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; after
  retiring, Mr. Collins enjoyed traveling the country with his
  wife in their RV and working at several national parks; he was
  passionate about researching genealogy and collecting programs
  from the many church and school events that his grandchildren
  participated in; and
 
         WHEREAS, While the passing of Bill Collins brings
  immeasurable sorrow to his family and friends, he leaves behind a
  legacy that will forever be treasured by all those who held him
  dear; now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
  Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life
  of William Bernard Collins Jr. and extend sincere sympathy to the
  members of his family: to his wife, Lena Collins; to his
  daughter, Debra Lynn Collins Staggs, and her husband, Larry; to
  his granddaughters, Stephanie Baskin and her husband, Buck, and
  Danielle Watson and her husband, Stephen; to his
  great-grandchildren, Hallie, Harper, and Hope Watson and James,
  Niki, Selah, and Elijah Baskin; and to his other relatives and
  friends; and, be it further
 
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
  prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
  this day, it do so in memory of Bill Collins.
 
  Hughes
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on September 4, 2025,
    by a rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate