William Gould 'Bud' Collins, 88

Mr. William Gould "Bud" Collins, 88, "went to be with the Lord" in the early morning hours of Feb. 28, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. He died peacefully with his beloved 'sweetie" and his youngest daughter Connie at his side. Bud was born Feb. 15, 1921, on his parents' (Joseph D. and Kathleen S.) homestead on Wild Horse Creek near Arvada, Wyo.

Bud chose to remain working on the homestead instead of exercising a college scholarship. He joined the U.S. Army in 1945. His tour of duty during World War II was primarily served in Italy.

Prior to his military service, he met and married his sweetheart, Virginia Phoebe Collins. She survives his passing. They shared a rich, loving, and fruitful life together for close to 65 years.

They moved from the Wyoming ranch in 1958, relocating on the Pleasant Valley Ranch west of Kalispell. Bud and Ginnie then moved to the Missoula area and finished raising their family. In 1974, the Collins' moved back to Kalispell. As a real estate broker, Bud sold many ranches in the Northwest, eventually owning his own real estate office. After retiring and traveling for a number of months, Bud and Ginnie decided to make their home in Arizona.

During his life, Bud succeeded in many challenges and endeavors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards with friends, and talking politics, always encouraging everyone to exercise the privilege of voting.

He was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed and his memory and legacy will be cherished by all who knew him. Bud was generous to a fault and was always willing to share insights he had learned. This earned him many friends.

He is survived by his wife, Ginnie, of Glendale, Ariz.; four daughters, Kathy Ann and Rick Hermes of Kalispell, Glenna Lou and Don Nelson of Free Soil, Mich., Tamara Rose and Paul Neils of Troy, and Connie Marie and Dan Davis of Phoenix; and two sons, Thomas John and Terry Collins of Plains, and William Joseph Collins of Kalispell. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; his sister, Patricia Smith, of Sheridan, Wyo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bud was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Virginia; and his sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Claude Sorell.

Memorial contributions in Bud's memory may be directed to the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center of Phoenix; or the Veterans Administration in your area.

Services and interment in Willow Grove Cemetery at Buffalo, Wyo., will be at a later date.