COLLINS, Billajean M. (Lee) 1936-2005

COLLINS, LEE, SCHEAR

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 8/3/2011 at 11:06:00

Billajean M. ‘Billie' Collins

MASON CITY — Billajean M. "Billie" Collins, 68, of 777 Eisenhower Ave., Lot No. 128 in Mason City, died Saturday afternoon (Jan. 22, 2005) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday (this date would have been Billie's 69th birthday) at the Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E. in Mason City, with Pastor Thomas W. Healey officiating. Interment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E. in Mason City and one hour prior to Billie's services at the funeral home. There will be a Ladies of The Moose memorial service at 6 p.m.

Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may direct them to the Billie M. Collins Memorial Fund.

Thoughts, condolences and stories may be e-mailed to the family on the www.fullertonfh.com Web site.

Billajean May Collins was born Jan. 26, 1936, rural Floyd, to William H. and Luella M. (Schear) Lee.

She was the first of two daughters born to her parents and received her education at the Nora Springs and Mason City schools.

"Billie," as she was lovingly known by her family and friends, has lived all her life in the Floyd and Mason City area. Billie has remained extremely close in location and heart to her sister all their lives.

On December 19, 1958, Billie was united in marriage to Larry Collins Sr. in Des Moines. Billie and Larry treasured their time together taking long rides in the country, playing games of chance at casinos, dancing and fishing. They became the proud parents of a daughter and three sons.

Billie was well-known and extremely active in the community. She was a member of the Ladies of the Moose, the Eagles Lodge and the V.F.W., all in Mason City.

At the age of 16, Billie was first employed at a local turkey farm. She is also fondly remembered working in a variety of customer hospitality positions at the Black and White Café, the sugar beet plant, the Mason City Airport, the Elks Lodge, the V.F.W. and the Senior Citizen's Center.

Billie was sometimes referred to as "Bingo Billie." She not only loved playing the game, but also called bingo at several locations.

Billie's family was her highest priority throughout her life. She is described by her children as a very loving, giving and caring woman who would assist anyone at any time in any capacity.

They recall her as "the best Mom ever" who baked homemade cream pies, prepared large family dinners, especially holiday dinners, contributed to bake sales and expressed her love of joining in on family functions.

Billie was an avid fan of the U.S. Wrestling Federation, where her grandson, Larry Collins III (aka "The Real Deal") participates in amateur wrestling in North Iowa and Minnesota.

One of Billie's favorite leisure activities was listening to karaoke, hosted by her son, Larry.

Billie will be missed dearly by her family and friends who have shared in her life.

She is survived by her children, Teresa Collins, Terry (Deb) Austin and Allan Collins, all of Mason City and Larry Collins Jr. and fiancée, Jennifer Boggess of Osage; her sister, Dixie Jane Willis (Al Martin) of Mason City; and her stepfather, Ronnie Whitt.

Billie will also be sadly missed by her 18 grandchildren, Tom and Jacob Austin, Samantha Collins, Sheena Schilling, Casey Boyd, Larry Collins III, Jeff, Steve, Jessica and Jimmy Collins, Scottie Collins Baker and Tatum Collins Anderson, Allan, Jeremy, Dylan and Mariah Collins, Tony Hitchcock and Michael Camara; her seven great-grandchildren, Damien and Ava Leilani Collins, Summer and Kadin Collins, Andrew and Alyssa Collins and Kaden G. Collins; and many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Billie in death were her husband, Larry Collins Sr. in 1997; her parents, William and Luella Lee; her son, William J. "Jimmy" Collins; grandson, Shad; and twin grandchildren, Amilia and Sabrina Collins.

Thank you for being the best Grandma! We'll miss you and love you!

Love Scottie and Tatum.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (641) 423-8676. www.fullertonfh.com.

[ Globe Gazette, Jan. 25, 2005 ]