Walter W. Collins, Sr.

Walter William Collins, Sr., 77, of McMurray, formerly Castle Shannon, died Wednesday, November 14, 2007, in McMurray Hills Manor, following a lengthy illness. He was born June 28, 1930, in Castle Shannon, a son of Harry and Helen Marie Buch Collins. Mr. Collins served in the United States Marine Corps From July 10, 1946, until his honorable discharge as a sergeant on July 9, 1949. He served in the United States Coast Guard from June 29, 1953, until his honorable discharge as an Ensign 2 on June 28, 1956. Mr. Collins was a mechanic for the United States Postal Service, retiring from the North Side (Pittsburgh) Facility. He was also an auto and airplane mechanic in Harrisburg for five years. Mr. Collins enjoyed cats, country music, and watching old movies. He was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Castle Shannon, the VFW in Carnegie and Castle Shannon, and the American Legion in Carnegie and Castle Shannon. Surviving area son, Walter W. (Carol) Collins, Jr. of Eighty-Four; two daughters, Debra (Nicholas) DePasquale of Pittsburgh and Kim (Rob) Mockler of Eighty-Four; 13 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Deceased are a sister, Laverne; and a brother, Thomas Collins. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 1:15 p.m. Monday, November 19, 2007. Burial will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Military rites will be accorded graveside by Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion.