Billy Forester Collins, 74, of Cleveland, Tennessee, passed away on Saturday, September 3, 2016 in a Chattanooga hospital.
Billy was born on Dec. 21, 1941 to the late Herman & Jewel Collins. After graduating Bradley Central High School, he then attended and graduated from McKenzie Business College in Chattanooga, TN. He and his family were the owners of Collins Manufacturing for many years. Billy was an avid fisherman and enjoyed camping and spending time with his family. Billy was a member of New Prospect Cumberland Presbyterian Church but more recently attended First Baptist Church.
Billy is survived by his wife of 52 years Patricia Gail Tracy-Collins; four children, Kevin Herman Forester Collins and his wife Deborah, Kelli Collins Bergin, Kristi Collins-Smith and her husband Scott and Jon Kristian Collins and his wife Karen; grandchildren, Nicole Duckett (Kolby), Rob Gary (Tasha), Summer Lynn Collins (fiancé Caleb Wright), Brian “Mac” Massengill, Billy Richard Massengill (fiancé Peyton Harris), Madeleine Louise Frazier, Amy Frazier Evans (Jake), James Herman Collins, Katelynn Jewel Collins, nine great-grandchildren; one sister Kay Collins Holden and husband John; special friends Judy Dixon and Erin Campbell; numerous other extended family members; and a host of special friends.
A celebration of his life is planned for Friday, Sept. 9 at 11 a.m. at the Mt. Olive Ministries located at 3522 Harrison Pike in Cleveland, TN with Pastor Gary Sears officiating. Interment will follow in the garden on the family property.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, Sept. 8, from 4-8 p.m. and also one hour prior to the service on Friday at Mt. Olive Ministries.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made either to the First Baptist Church Mission Fund; P.O. Box 2368; Cleveland, TN 37320 or to Mt. Olive Ministries.
Companion Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.