J.W. Collins

J. W. Collins July 15, 1924 - May 12, 2013 J. W. Collins of Waco passed away Sunday, May 12, 2013 at his residence. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 17, at Lakewood Christian Church with the Rev. Dr. Jerry Kirkpatrick officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 16, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. J.W. was born July 15, 1924, in Arlington, Texas, to Frank and Ethel Collins. He entered the Army Air Corps serving in England and France and over the skies of Germany. On return to the U.S., he married the love of his life, Yvonne Smith. He worked for the Veterans Administration for three years while attending Arlington State College. After that time, he entered his life-long vocation of food management and catering. He began this career with Amusement Enterprises in Fort Worth, working at the North Side Coliseum. He traveled with the company managing concessions at pro golf tournaments across the country. In 1954, he moved his family to Waco, Texas, where he managed the concessions for the brand new Heart O' Texas Coliseum, as well as Baylor Stadium and the local high school football stadiums. For many years he and Yvonne catered the Hedonia and Charity Balls of Waco. In 1979, he started his own concession and catering company, Jayco Enterprises. J.W. was a man who loved people and delighted in helping others. A longtime member of the Lakewood Christian Church of Waco, he served as a deacon, elder, and Meals on Wheels volunteer. At the time of his death, he was a trustee and elder emeritus and was still active as the social committee chairman. As had been the case for many years, every congregational meal benefitted from his input and guidance. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Yvonne Elizabeth Collins; sisters, Relda Everman and Mary Tidwell; and brother, Tommy Collins. He is survived by his daughters, Candace Martin Sheppard of Waco and Kim Tyler and husband, Ricky, of Temple; sons, Kevin Collins and wife, Valerie, of Waco, and Bill Collins and wife, Debi, of Aledo, grandchildren Max Martin, Tyler Martin and wife, Stefanie, Lee Martin, Seth Tyler and wife, Carrie, Dustin Tyler and wife, Katie, Jason Turner and wife, Jennifer, Brooke Collins, and Rebecca Collins; great grandchildren, Tye Martin, Macie Martin, Koehler Martin, Noah Martin, and Addison Martin; sister, Patricia McCullough; and brother, Frank Collins; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Max Martin, Tyler Martin, Seth Tyler and Dustin Tyler. Memorials may be made to Lakewood Christian Church. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.