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William Edward Collins III, loved his family

February 1, 2023

William Edward Collins III, 85, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Dagsboro after a brief illness following a fall. He was born in Boston, Mass., June 11, 1937.

Bill was a graduate of Belmont High School (1955) and Harvard College (1959). He had a successful career in sales and management in the paper industry, and lived in Scituate, Mass., Kensington, Md., and Dagsboro.

Bill was a loving husband to Linda Healy Collins, his wife of 62 years, and a proud father to his sons, William E. (Erin), Robert C. (Kelly) and Andrew J. (Gloria). He was also a devoted grandfather to seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is survived by his sister, Sally Hall of Exeter, N.H. He was preceded in death by his sister, Ann Fagan of Wellesley and Natick, Mass. 

Not only was Bill a devoted Boston sports fan, but he was also an avid golfer and had been a member of Hatherly Country Club in Scituate, Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase and Cripple Creek Golf and Country Club in Dagsboro.

Above all, Bill loved his family and would entertain his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and just about everyone else with funny stories, one-liners, and stories of growing up in Belmont and playing hockey at Harvard. He had a unique talent for sparking friendly conversations with those he encountered, and was a man of wit, humility, and soul who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 17, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Pkwy., Bethany Beach, with a viewing beginning at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Beebe Medical Foundation, Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing, beebehealthcare.org/donate.

Online condolences can be made by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com

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