Bill Collins

Visitation will be held Tuesday ~April 9, 2024

3:00pm-8:00pm

6:45pm Police Honors 

Rosary 7:00pm

Fred Wood Funeral Home ~ Rice Chapel

36100 Five Mile Rd. Livonia (E. of Levan)

Funeral Service will be held Wednesday April 10, 2024

Instate 10:00am, Mass 10:30am

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church

11441 Hubbard, Livonia, Michigan

On Friday April 5, at 95 years old Bill Collins exhaled his last breath surrounded by his
daughters and wonderful caregivers. Bill’s life began in Detroit on June 27, 1928.
He was the oldest of 4 children with brother Ray and two sisters Jane and Joanne. He
graduated from McKenzie High and went to Michigan State University for his degree in
criminal justice. He married Lois E Thompson in 1951 and was hired by the new city of
Livonia’s Police Department. At that time, Livonia was an agricultural community with
lots of open fields and woods. As an avid outdoorsman Bill would hunt rabbits and
pheasants in the city with his beagle. Bill and Lois had 4 children, Gary, Linda, Michael
and Janice and all went to St. Michael’s in Livonia and Linda and Janice went to
Ladywood. Bill built 4 houses in Livonia, 2 on Mayfield Ave and 2 on Richfield St.
Summers in the 60’s were spent on the Wingy Dingy in Lake Erie and up to Caseville at
Toot’s cottage with Al, Frank and Craig. In the late 70’s he regularly hunted in Wyoming
with Michael and Wade. After 30 years in law enforcement, including time at the FBI
academy, he retired as a Detective
Lieutenant. After his retirement, Lois and Bill built their last home in Plymouth on 10
acres where Bill planted Christmas trees, rode his horse Bidohoney and raised chickens
and geese. The grandchildren all remember this special piece of paradise. After Lois
passed in 1998 and his property sold in the early 00’s, Bill eventually found a home in
Ludington, Michigan with great neighbors, friends, markets, church and a nice walk to
the beach. During this period he would try to spend a couple months in the winter on
the gulf coast of Florida where he developed more friendships that endure to this day.
As age presented some challenges, Bill moved to Lambertville, Michigan to be near
Janice and Fred. As more assistance was needed, family, neighbors, and some
dedicated caregivers were there to help him.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Lois, his brother Ray and wife Aggie, sister Jane
and husband Joe and son Michael (Stacy). He is survived by his sister Joanne, children,
Gary (Linda), Linda (Bob), Janice and Stacy and numerous nieces and nephews. He has
7 grandchildren, Nick (Courtney), Galvin (Rebecca), Mike (Liz), Steph (Artur), Dustin
(Amy), Meghan (Chris) and Michelle. He has 13 great grandchildren.
Bill took pride in his health and exercise was part of it. He set a good example but his
mantra that “Work is Fun” was not always appreciated. He will be missed by all.
The family wants to thank Heartland Hospice for their compassionate guidance and all
those that helped Bill over the years especially Denise, Dianna and Chris.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Livonia First Responders Foundation

37637 Five Mile Road, Suite 911, Livonia, MI 48154

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