William Randall Collins

William R. Collins, affectionately known to family and friends as either Bill or "Buff", 71, of Belmont, North Carolina, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 1, 2026, in Roanoke, Virginia. Born September 1, 1954, to the late Frank Bernard and Inza A. (Wright) Collins, of Tazewell County, Va., he is also preceded in death by his grandparents, Viva Mae (Wells) Collins, Elbert Hopkins Collins, Ethel Vivian (Asbury) Waugh and Charlie Wright; brothers, Charlie Clark Collins, Bernard Lee Collins; sister, Frankie Jean Collins; niece, Kristine Aileen Lynn; nephew, James Matthew Stout; as well as his precious fur babies, Casey, Trooper, Al and Kabodle.

William was a helper; a good neighbor; someone who would help to get people with needs connected to the right resources and advocates. Having lived in Penhook, Va., Tazewell, Va., Centerburg, Ohio, Roanoke, Va., Sandusky, Ohio and Columbus, Ohio, Bill had friendships and community in each state, and then some. He loved to serve the Lord and was able to do so through several churches and congregations who were dear to him including, All Saint Episcopal Church, Gastonia, N.C., St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Macon, Ga., St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Columbus, Ohio, and Adria Advent Church, in Tazewell, Va. Bill loved home improvement, doing landscaping and home repairs. He enjoyed being outdoors, taking walks, hiking, and simply enjoying God's magnificent creation. He especially enjoyed lake days in Penhook, Va. boating and relaxing with family and friends. Bill was intelligent, kind, caring, supportive, encouraging and positive and had a heart of gold, once one broke through his sometimes-gruff exterior. Bill loved well and in return, was dearly loved.

Those remaining to cherish his memory are his loving husband, David W. Smith; sister, Vivian Ruthig; sister-in-law, Kaira Collins; brother-in-law and sister in law, Mark and Bonnie Smith; nieces, Kimberly Hope Stout (Matt H.), Cindi Ruhl, Mindy Dougherty (Dale), Bernadette Peuster (John), Kathleen Heinrich, and Bonnie Collins; nephew, Bernard Collins; great nieces, Madison Stout, Chelsey Usher (Chad) and Allison Collins; great nephews, David Potts, Daniel Dougherty, Drew Dougherty, Logan Collins, Colton Collins, Garrett Howell, Joel Puester, Christian Puester and Matthew Puester. Several beloved cousins.

As Bill held deep connections in many communities, there will be multiple gatherings and services in Penhook, Va., Columbus, Ohio and New Castle, Penn.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospitals; Habitat for Humanity or Capital Area Humane Society, 3136 S Hamilton Rd, Columbus, OH, 43232-5657.

David would like to extend his deepest heartfelt gratitude to William R. Collins for being a strong, wonderful, caring, God-fearing life partner for the last 30 years.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com