William H. "Bill" Collins, 87 years old, was laid to rest on December 31st, 2024 at 10:00 p.m. at his home in Arthur.

Bill was born February 6th, 1937 in Coffeeville Mississippi, the son of Clive Herman and Carrie Bell Waldo Collins. Bill was the husband of Mildred L. (Gibson) Collins for 70 years this past September, the father of three children, sons, Donald R. Collins (deceased); Michael J. and wife Linda K. Collins of Arthur; and daughter, Lisa C. Guidarini of Crystal Lake, IL. Bill was the grandfather of 8: Jeremy (Stephanie) Hale of Arthur; Becky (Isai) Gutierrez of Arthur; Michael W. Collins (deceased); Kyle Alexander (Alex) Collins of Arthur; Allison Guidarini of Dekalb, IL; Adam (Erin) Guidarini of Lakewood, OH; Brian Guidarini of Johnston, IA; Greg Collins of Long Creek, IL. Great Grandfather of 10; Jeremy Jr. (deceased); Emily, Nathan and Harper Hale; Courtney (Drew) Gingerich; Malachi, Elijah and Eden Gutierrez; Lexi Oliver and Ruth Murtaugh.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; son, Donald; grandson, Michael; great grandson, Jeremy Jr.; brother and sister-in-law, Billy Wayne and Mary Collins; and longtime employee and friend, Jeff Arwine.

Growing up in Coffeeville he worked many different jobs with his father and other relatives until he became a John Deere Representative and on-site Teacher/Trainer based out of Moline IL for a large area of several states. From Mississippi he was transferred to Mt. Vernon IL and from there in 1974 he and his family moved to Arthur IL where he became the Shop Foreman and shareholder for Willoughby Implement. In 1980 he purchased Dyer Oil Company from Mrs. Margaret Dyer which then became Collins Oil Service which was renamed to Collins Oil, LLC and continues to proudly serve Arthur and the surrounding communities. The community knew Bill as a mechanical genius, some had even said he could diagnose a tractor issue over the phone.

The Family would like to acknowledge and give Special Thanks to the Arthur EMT's, also Caregiver and Special friend Debbie Scott as well as Terri Eads.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 10th, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Arthur's Penn Station. The Funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Penn Station with Pastor Doug Davis officiating. Burial will follow at the Arthur Cemetery. Shrader Funeral Home, 431 S. Vine Street, Arthur, is assisting the family with arrangements.

The Family request any monetary donations be made to Arthur EMT association.

Online condolences to the family may be shared at www.hilligossshraderfh.com