S.B. Solly Collins

S.B. SollyCOLLINS S.B. Solly Collins passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2003. Graveside services will be Saturday, March 8 at 3:00 p.m. at Lorena Cemetery with Rev. Danny Niedecken officiating. S.B. was born December 16, 1925, in Whithharral, Texas to Rosa and George Collins. He volunteered and enlisted in the Navy when he was 18. He was stationed in the Philippines during WWII on the Leonidis Merritt, as a member of the gun crew, which was destroyed by three Kamikaze planes. For his part in the war effort, he was awarded the Purple Heart. Upon discharge from the Navy, Solly was Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Subsequently, he worked for the Veterans Administration in Lubbock, the VA Regional Office in Waco, where he was in Property Management, and retired as Loan Guaranty Officer from the VA Regional Office in Portland, Oregon, in 1981, at which time he returned to Texas. He was mayor of Lorena for six years and enjoyed the interaction with the residents of the city. He is remembered by family and friends as a person who possessed a wonderful sense of humor. No matter his life’s challenges or circumstances, he was always in a jovial mood. He never met a stranger, enjoyed story-telling and reminiscing. He loved to cook and share his recipes. Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Leona Hale; and brothers, Harmon Collins and Charlie Collins. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Toni and Charles Chassey of Fresno, California; daughter, Jessica Wodrich of San Francisco, California; son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Candy Collins of Kihei, Hawaii; son and fiancée, Christopher Collins and Robyn Gardner of Round Rock, Texas; four grandchildren; five great grandchildren and numerous friends. Pallbearers will be John Peterson, Scott Stevens, Charles Chassey, Emory Isham, Walt Lavender, Nick Smitham, Joe Robinson and Manuel Liendo. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Leonidis Merritt Gun Crew and friends; Don Cockayne, Alois Cepline, Charlie Hawke, Jack Chamberlin, Lonnie Snoden, Raymond Childres, Audrey Broersma, Edwin Carstens, Richard Cackler, Stan Lundin and Jack Nema. Special thanks go to the staffs at Providence Health Center, Waco West Kidney Center, Royal Manor, and Dr. John Kosarek and the staff at Hillcrest Clinic-Midway. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lorena Volunteer Fire Department or one’s favorite charity.