Pat G. Collins

Mr. Pat G. Collins, 84, of Advance died on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 at 3:30 p.m., the same day as his arrival in 1930. 

He was born on Sept. 13, 1930 in Shady Point, Okla. to Artie and Claude Collins. After high school graduation from Panama, Okla., he entered the Air Force in 1948 and was schooled in jet and electrical mechanics. As staff sergeant and flight chief he maintained the jets for fighter pilots’ missions in Korea; 12th FTR BMB SQDN, 5th A.F. Okla City, 18th FTR BMB GP, 18th FTR BMB Wing. After discharge he was employed by Douglas Aircraft of Tulsa, Okla. He attended Tulsa University and in 1957 transferred to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and graduated in 1960 in electrical engineering. He was employed by Western Electric (AT&T, Alcatel Lucent). His first assignment as an engineer was in Bay City, Mich. and Defoe Shipyard on guided missile destroyers. As an angineer working with the US Navy, this job took him to naval bases; Philadelphia, Camden, N.J., Norfolk, Va. and Washington DC (Bureau of Naval Weapons). He returned to Western Electric in Winston-Salem in 1966 and was lead engineer in capacities including documentation and computer graphics. He retired from Alcatel Lucent in 1989. He was always active in all aspects of his church; in Winston and in Casper, Wyo. He was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Advance where he continued to enjoy golf, music, travel, gardening, family, friends and bridge. His joy was coaching Little League softball. 

He was preceded in death by his son, Mark W. Collins: his parents; and 8 brothers, Bill, Junior, John, Ernest, Horace, James, Herbert and Kenneth. 

Survivors: his wife of 62 years, Billie W. Collins; his daughter, Patricia L. Nelson (Tim); his grandson, Jason Collins of Greeley, Colo.; granddaughter, Taylor Lynn Collins of Casper; and a brother, Henry Collins (Martha) of Oklahoma City; and a host of nephews and nieces. 

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept.20 at Bethlehem United Methodist Church with Dr. J. Barry Lemons and Assistant Pastor, Rebecca Allis officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel. 

Memorials: Mark Collins Male Nursing Scholarship fund @ Casper College Foundation, Nursing Scholarship, 125 College Drive, Casper, WY 82601; Hospice/Palliative Care Center, Rowan County, Salisbury or to the Hospice and Palliative Care Center, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, 27103. 

Online condolences: www.hayworth-miller.com.