William Larry Collins passed away on August 23, 2017.  His passing is a great loss to his family, the Mt. Pleasant community that he loved so much, and to the many people around the world who were the beneficiaries of his kindness and selfless generosity.

     Larry was born in Beloit, Wisconsin on August 12, 1925, the son of William A. and Edna M. (Young) Collins (later Marston).  He is survived by three sons: William C. (Dorene Allen) Collins, Midland, MI, Douglas R. Collins, Mt. Pleasant, MI, and Peter A. (Mary) Collins, Ann Arbor, MI; by six grandchildren: Christopher (Martha) Collins, Dacula, GA; William J. Collins, Kalamazoo, MI; Adriana (John) Benedetto, Plymouth, MI; Natalia Collins, Bianca Collins, and Juliette Collins, all of Ann Arbor, MI; and by three great-grandchildren: Lillian Collins, William Edward Collins, and Mya Collins.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law Annabelle Collins, Beloit, WI, brothers-in-law Jack (Joanne) Recor and Craig Soliday, all of Port Huron, MI; and special friend Joanne Church, Two Harbors, MN.  Larry was predeceased by his wife of over fifty years, Donna Jean Collins, on October 29, 2001.

     Larry graduated from Beloit High School in 1942 and attended Beloit College and the University of Wisconsin before entering the Navy V-12 program.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from the California Institute of Technology in 1945; while at Cal Tech he was a member of the baseball and basketball teams.  He was commissioned an Ensign at Notre Dame, and served at Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Saidor before his release from active duty in 1946.

     He obtained a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Michigan in 1949, leading to a first position with the City of Port Huron.  There he met Donna Recor; they wed on October 20, 1951.  He was called back to active duty in March 1952 during the Korean crisis, and served for two years at the Naval Air Station, Moffett Field, CA. 

     Returning to civilian life a second time, Larry resumed a career in municipal administration spanning thirty-two years with positions in Pontiac, MI, Zion, IL, Mt. Pleasant, MI, Bay City, MI, Battle Creek, MI, East Detroit, MI and Big Rapids, MI.  Honors along the way included presidencies of the Michigan Local Government Management Association and the Mt. Pleasant Kiwanis Club.  A Chicago Cubs fan from childhood, Larry was especially gratified by the Cubs’ World Series title in 2016.

     In retirement Larry and Donna returned to Mt. Pleasant, and Larry devoted his efforts to many community and charitable causes, including the First United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity, Kiwanis, the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, and the International Relations Council of Isabella County. 

     Larry lived a life of kindness, service, generosity and faith that serve as a model for all who were fortunate to know him.  He will be greatly missed.

     A celebration of Larry’s life will be held on Tuesday, August 29 at 11:00 a.m. from the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant with Rev. Diane Gordon officiating.  The family will greet friends on Monday, August 28 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church.  Interment will be in the Church’s Memorial Garden.  In lieu of flowers please consider three charities that meant so much to Larry; the Mt. Pleasant First United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity Isabella County, and the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen.