Albert "Billy" W. Collins

     Albert “Billy” W. Collins, 70, of Sparta, died Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at his home. He was born on June 14, 1950 in Portland, OR to Henry and Josephine (Francisconi) Collins. He grew up on Longbranch, New Jersey. He served in the US Marine Corp and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan during the Vietnam War.

     Albert came to Wisconsin after the service to visit family and vacation. He met Pamella Miller while here and decided to stay. They were married on March 22, 1980 in Winona, MN. They lived in Texas for a few years and settled in Sparta.

     Billy had various jobs throughout his life to help support his family. He retired for health reasons in 2010. He was a member of the American Legion Post 100 in Sparta. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, race cars and was an avid outdoorsman.

     Albert is survived by his wife, Pam; children, Kristin Sommerville, Jayme (Ian) Cleary, and Jessica Collins; grandchildren, Damen Peterson, Collin Cleary, Genevieve Cleary, Eden Cleary, Syddalea Felber, and Corrina Felber; mother, Josephine Pastuszak; brother, Charles (Theresa) Collins; sister, Nancy (John) MacBride; four half-brothers; and four half-sisters.

     He was preceded in death by his father, Henry; brother, Michael Collins; and grandson, Ian Cleary Jr.

     A memorial service, with social distancing being observed, will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, with Pastor Jef Skinner officiating. Military honors provided by VFW Post 2112 will follow the service at the funeral home.

     Family and friends are invited to call from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. 

     The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. 

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