William F. "Wild Bill" Collins

William F. (Wild Bill) Collins passed away January 17, 2021 in San Angelo, Texas. He was born July 26, 1929 in El Paso, Texas to James Cecil and Ruby Isabel Pohlman Collins. His family moved to San Angelo, Texas in 1932. He attended Santa Rita Elementary, Edison Junior High, and graduated from San Angelo High School in 1945. He graduated from San Angelo College with an associate in Arts degree in June of 1947. He attended the University of Texas until he paused his studies to enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950. Upon receiving his Honorable Discharge from the Airforce, he returned to UT and received his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Bill met and married his beloved wife Linda Lou Wacker on June 1, 1957 enjoying 44 years of marriage until her death on November 17, 2001. Bill was employed by General Telephone Company and later Central National Bank of San Angelo. During his tenure with the Bank he furthered his education and graduated from the National Trust School at Northwestern University and Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. Bill was active in the community and served as President of the Concho Valley Estate Planning Council and he served as a Board Member of the Tom Green County Library including 12 years as Chairman of the Library Board. Bill and Linda were charter members of Bentwood Country Club and were actively engaged along with their children and son in law owning, handling, and raising horses, primarily sport horses. Entertaining horse show enthusiasts at their home, Stone Arbor Farm was one of his greatest joys. Bill's hobbies included hunting, playing golf, and playing competitive Tournament Contract Bridge. As a member of the American Contract Bridge League since 1947, he achieved the ranking of Life Master. He had many true and lasting friends at the San Angelo Bridge Club. Bill enjoyed socializing, always having his own spot at the Spur Club during the Rodeo and he spent many evenings listening to live music wherever his son Kevin was playing. Bill is survived by his daughter Kelley Collins Smith and husband Tim C. Smith and his son William Kevin Collins and wife Kim, grandson, William Kanton Collins and wife Rachael, granddaughters Kaitlyn Michel Collins, and Dakota Leeann Smith, as well as great granddaughters Ellie Rayne Collins and Tommye Lynn Collins who is on the way. Special thanks to friends and caregivers specifically, Jian Rangel and Stephanie Dobbs, Solaris Hospice, and the memory care staff at Brayden Park. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, January 25, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Bentwood Country Club in San Angelo, TX. Please follow all COVID-19 safety guidelines and masks will be available. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Friends of the Tom Green County Library, the Tom Green County Library Memorial Fund or the charity of choice.